Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme ni mfereji wa maji katika mkono wa Yehova; anaugeuza popote anakopenda.
Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he turn it.
2 Kila njia ya mtu ni sawa katika macho yake mwenyewe, lakini ni Yehova anayeipima mioyo.
Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 Kutenda haki na adili hukubaliwa zaidi na Yehova kuliko sadaka.
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kiburi na moyo wa majivuno- taa ya waovu- ni dhambi.
Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
5 Mipango ya mwenye juhudi huelekea kwenye mafanikio tu, bali kila mtu anayetenda kwa haraka huelekea umasikini.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] only to want.
6 Kujipatia utajiri kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke unaopita upesi na mtego ambao unafisha.
The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
7 Vurugu ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, maana wanakataa kutenda haki.
The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ukatiri, bali mwenye usafi hutenda yaliyo ya haki.
Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9 Bora kuishi kwenye kona ya juu darini kuliko katika nyumba pamoja na mke mgonvi.
It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy house.
10 Hamu ya mwovu ni uchu wa mabaya; jirani yake haoni ukarimu katika macho yake.
The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
11 Mwenye dhihaka anapoadhibiwa mjinga hupata busara, na mtu mwenye busara anapofundishwa, anaongeza maarifa.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Atendaye haki huilinda nyumba ya mwovu; huwashusha waovu kwenye uharibifu.
The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
13 Anayeziba masikio yake kwenye kilio cha masikini, pia atalia, lakini hatajibiwa.
Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 Zawadi ya siri hutuliza hasira na zawadi ya kificho hutuliza ghadhabu kuu.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
15 Haki ikitendeka, huleta furaha kwa mwenye kutenda wema, lakini huleta hofu kubwa kwa watenda mabaya.
It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
16 Yule anayezurura kutoka kwenye njia ya ufahamu, atapumzika kwenye kusanyiko la wafu.
The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 Anayependa raha atakuwa masikini; anayependa divai na mafuta hawezi kuwa tajiri.
He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
18 Mtu mbaya ni fidia kwa yule atendaye haki, na mdanganyifu ni fidia kwa waaminifu.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
19 Bora kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi pamoja na mwanamke ambaye huchochea sana ugomvi na malalamiko.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 Hazina yenye thamani na mafuta vipo nyumbani kwa mwenye busara, bali mtu mpumbavu huviharibu.
There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
21 Mtu atendaye haki na mwema -huyu mtu hupata uzima, haki na heshima.
He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Mtu mwenye busara huupima mji wa mashujaa, na huiangusha ngome wanayoitumaini.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
23 Anayelinda kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda mwenyewe na taabu.
Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na maringo- “Dhihaka” ndilo jina lake - hutenda kwa majivuno na kujidai.
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
25 Shauku ya mtu mvivu itamuua, maana mikono yake hukataa kufanya kazi.
The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Kwa siku nzima hupatwa na uchu na uchu zaidi, lakini atendaye haki hutoa na wala hazuii.
All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 Sadaka ya mwovu ni chukizo; huwa ni chukizo zaidi anapoileta kwa nia mbaya.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali anayesikiliza ataongea kwa muda wote.
A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
29 Mtu mwovu huufanya uso wake kuwa mgumu, bali mtu mwadilifu ni thabiti juu ya njia zake.
A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
30 Hakuna hekima, hakuna ufahamu, na hakuna shauri linaloweza kusimama kinyume na Yehova.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 Farasi hutayarishwa kwa siku ya mapigano, lakini ushindi hupatikana kwa Yehova.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
