Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
[Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.
2 Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.
3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.
6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,
7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
9 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.
When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
14 Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.
16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
18 Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.
19 Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.
21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
22 Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
27 Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.
30 Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.
31 Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.
