Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he turn it.
2 Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
5 Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] only to want.
6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy house.
10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
11 Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
18 Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
19 Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
30 Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
