Mithali 16
1 Mipango ya moyo ni ya mtu, bali Yehova hutoa jawabu kutoka kwenye ulimi wake.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 Njia zote za mtu ni safi kwenye macho yake mwenyewe, bali Yehova huipima mioyo.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Kabidhi kwa Yehova kazi zako zote na mipango yako itafanikiwa.
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
4 Yehova alifanya kila kitu kwa kusudi lake, hata waovu kwa ajili ya siku ya taabu.
The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Yehova anamchukia kila mtu mwenye moyo wa majivuno, ingawa wanasimama imara, hawakosi kupata adhabu.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 Kwa agano la uaminifu na udhamini uovu husafishwa na kwa kumcha Yehova watu hujitenga na ubaya.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 Njia za mtu zinapompendeza Yehova, huwafanya hata adui zake huyo mtu wawe na amani naye.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Bora kitu kidogo pamoja na haki, kuliko mapato makubwa pamoja na udhalimu.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9 Katika moyo wake mtu hunuia njia yake, bali Yehova huziongoza hatua zake.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 Mshauri yupo katika midimo ya mfalme, katika hukumu kinywa chake hakisemi kwa udanganyifu.
Inspired judgements are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 Vipimo vya kweli hutoka kwa Yehova; uzito wote kwenye gunia ni kazi yake.
Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 Wafalme wanapofanya mambo maovu, hicho ni kitu cha kudharauliwa, kwa maana utawala huimarishwa kwa kutenda haki.
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Mfalme hufurahia midomo ambayo husema haki na anampenda mwenye kusema waziwazi.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 Hasira ya mfalme ni mjumbe wa mauti lakini mtu mwenye busara atajaribu kutuliza hasira yake.
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 Katika nuru ya uso wa mfalme ni uzima na fadhila yake ni kama wingu linaloleta mvua ya masika.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favour is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 Ni bora kiasi gani kupata hekima kuliko dhahabu. Kuchagua kupata ufahamu ni zaidi kuliko fedha.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 Njia kuu ya watu waadilifu hujitenga na ubaya; mwenye kuyahifadhi maisha yake huilinda njia yake.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Kiburi hutangulia kabla ya uharibifu na moyo wa kujivuna kabla ya maangamizi.
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 Ni bora kunyenyekea miongoni mwa watu masikini kuliko kugawana ngawira pamoja watu wenye kiburi.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20 Mwenye kutafakari yaliyofundishwa hupata kilicho chema na wenye kumtumaini Yehova watafurahi.
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
21 Mwenye hekima moyoni anaitwa ufuhamu na utamu wa hotuba huongeza uwezo wa kufundisha.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Ufahamu ni chemchemi ya uzima kwake ambaye nayo, bali adhabu ya wapumbavu ni upumbavu wao.
Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23 Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima hutoa busara katika kinywa chake na huongeza ushawishi katika midomo yake.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Maneno yenye kufaa ni sega la asali -matamu kwenye nafsi na huponya mifupa.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 Kuna njia ambayo huonekana sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake ni njia ya mauti.
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 Hamu ya kibarua humfanyia kazi; njaa yake humsihi kuendelea.
The appetite of the labouring man labours for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 Mtu duni huchimba madhara na usemi wake ni kama moto unaounguza.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 Mtu mkaidi huchochea mafarakano na umbeya huwafarakanisha marafiki.
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 Mtu wa vurugu humdanganya jirani yake na kumwongoza kwenye mapito ambayo si mema.
A man of violence entices his neighbour, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Yule anayekonyeza kwa jicho anapanga njama za mambo ya ukaidi; wenye kuandama midomo yao watapitisha mabaya.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 Mvi ni taji ya utukufu; hupatikana kwa kuishi katika njia ya haki.
Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 Ni bora kukawia kuwa na hasira kuliko kuwa shujaa na mwenye kutawala roho yake ni imara zaidi kuliko yule anayeuteka mji.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33 Kura hurushwa kwenye mkunjo, bali maamuzi hutoka kwa Yehova.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
