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 LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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 weighs the hearts.
3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
To do 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!
A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour for those who seek death.
7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbour finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
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 cloak, strong wrath.
15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
18 Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for 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 contentious and fretful woman.
20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honour.
22 Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labour.
26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
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 brings it with a wicked mind!
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
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 victory is with the LORD.
