Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
The heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, He inclines it wherever He pleases.
2 Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, And the pure—his work [is] upright.
9 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious 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 becomes wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.
12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
14 Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe in the bosom—strong fury.
15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
18 Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
19 Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swallows it up.
21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
The wise has gone up a city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
27 Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares his way.
30 Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
31 Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of YHWH!
