Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme ni mfereji wa maji katika mkono wa Yehova; anaugeuza popote anakopenda.
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Kila njia ya mtu ni sawa katika macho yake mwenyewe, lakini ni Yehova anayeipima mioyo.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
3 Kutenda haki na adili hukubaliwa zaidi na Yehova kuliko sadaka.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kiburi na moyo wa majivuno- taa ya waovu- ni dhambi.
An high look, and a proud heart, [even] the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye juhudi huelekea kwenye mafanikio tu, bali kila mtu anayetenda kwa haraka huelekea umasikini.
The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty [hasteth] only to want.
6 Kujipatia utajiri kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke unaopita upesi na mtego ambao unafisha.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.
7 Vurugu ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, maana wanakataa kutenda haki.
The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ukatiri, bali mwenye usafi hutenda yaliyo ya haki.
The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Bora kuishi kwenye kona ya juu darini kuliko katika nyumba pamoja na mke mgonvi.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10 Hamu ya mwovu ni uchu wa mabaya; jirani yake haoni ukarimu katika macho yake.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour 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 instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Atendaye haki huilinda nyumba ya mwovu; huwashusha waovu kwenye uharibifu.
The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; [how] the wicked are overthrown to [their] ruin.
13 Anayeziba masikio yake kwenye kilio cha masikini, pia atalia, lakini hatajibiwa.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14 Zawadi ya siri hutuliza hasira na zawadi ya kificho hutuliza ghadhabu kuu.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
15 Haki ikitendeka, huleta furaha kwa mwenye kutenda wema, lakini huleta hofu kubwa kwa watenda mabaya.
It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 Yule anayezurura kutoka kwenye njia ya ufahamu, atapumzika kwenye kusanyiko la wafu.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead.
17 Anayependa raha atakuwa masikini; anayependa divai na mafuta hawezi kuwa tajiri.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 Mtu mbaya ni fidia kwa yule atendaye haki, na mdanganyifu ni fidia kwa waaminifu.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous [cometh] 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 contentious and fretful woman.
20 Hazina yenye thamani na mafuta vipo nyumbani kwa mwenye busara, bali mtu mpumbavu huviharibu.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 Mtu atendaye haki na mwema -huyu mtu hupata uzima, haki na heshima.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 Mtu mwenye busara huupima mji wa mashujaa, na huiangusha ngome wanayoitumaini.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Anayelinda kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda mwenyewe na taabu.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na maringo- “Dhihaka” ndilo jina lake - hutenda kwa majivuno na kujidai.
The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.
25 Shauku ya mtu mvivu itamuua, maana mikono yake hukataa kufanya kazi.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 Kwa siku nzima hupatwa na uchu na uchu zaidi, lakini atendaye haki hutoa na wala hazuii.
There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: 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 wicked mind!
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali anayesikiliza ataongea kwa muda wote.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged.
29 Mtu mwovu huufanya uso wake kuwa mgumu, bali mtu mwadilifu ni thabiti juu ya njia zake.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways.
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 against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,
