Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
A high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.
6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
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 the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbor findeth no favor 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 instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
[It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be 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 transgressor for the upright.
19 Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
[There is] a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth 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 of its confidence.
23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
Whoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth 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 against the day of battle: but safety [is] from the LORD.
