Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme ni mfereji wa maji katika mkono wa Yehova; anaugeuza popote anakopenda.
[Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.
2 Kila njia ya mtu ni sawa katika macho yake mwenyewe, lakini ni Yehova anayeipima mioyo.
Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.
3 Kutenda haki na adili hukubaliwa zaidi na Yehova kuliko sadaka.
To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kiburi na moyo wa majivuno- taa ya waovu- ni dhambi.
Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
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 abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.
6 Kujipatia utajiri kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke unaopita upesi na mtego ambao unafisha.
The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,
7 Vurugu ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, maana wanakataa kutenda haki.
The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ukatiri, bali mwenye usafi hutenda yaliyo ya haki.
Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
9 Bora kuishi kwenye kona ya juu darini kuliko katika nyumba pamoja na mke mgonvi.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
10 Hamu ya mwovu ni uchu wa mabaya; jirani yake haoni ukarimu katika macho yake.
The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 Mwenye dhihaka anapoadhibiwa mjinga hupata busara, na mtu mwenye busara anapofundishwa, anaongeza maarifa.
When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Atendaye haki huilinda nyumba ya mwovu; huwashusha waovu kwenye uharibifu.
The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
13 Anayeziba masikio yake kwenye kilio cha masikini, pia atalia, lakini hatajibiwa.
He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
14 Zawadi ya siri hutuliza hasira na zawadi ya kificho hutuliza ghadhabu kuu.
A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
15 Haki ikitendeka, huleta furaha kwa mwenye kutenda wema, lakini huleta hofu kubwa kwa watenda mabaya.
It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.
16 Yule anayezurura kutoka kwenye njia ya ufahamu, atapumzika kwenye kusanyiko la wafu.
The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
17 Anayependa raha atakuwa masikini; anayependa divai na mafuta hawezi kuwa tajiri.
A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
18 Mtu mbaya ni fidia kwa yule atendaye haki, na mdanganyifu ni fidia kwa waaminifu.
A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.
19 Bora kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi pamoja na mwanamke ambaye huchochea sana ugomvi na malalamiko.
Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
20 Hazina yenye thamani na mafuta vipo nyumbani kwa mwenye busara, bali mtu mpumbavu huviharibu.
Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.
21 Mtu atendaye haki na mwema -huyu mtu hupata uzima, haki na heshima.
He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
22 Mtu mwenye busara huupima mji wa mashujaa, na huiangusha ngome wanayoitumaini.
A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Anayelinda kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda mwenyewe na taabu.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na maringo- “Dhihaka” ndilo jina lake - hutenda kwa majivuno na kujidai.
A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
25 Shauku ya mtu mvivu itamuua, maana mikono yake hukataa kufanya kazi.
The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
26 Kwa siku nzima hupatwa na uchu na uchu zaidi, lakini atendaye haki hutoa na wala hazuii.
All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
27 Sadaka ya mwovu ni chukizo; huwa ni chukizo zaidi anapoileta kwa nia mbaya.
The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali anayesikiliza ataongea kwa muda wote.
A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
29 Mtu mwovu huufanya uso wake kuwa mgumu, bali mtu mwadilifu ni thabiti juu ya njia zake.
A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.
30 Hakuna hekima, hakuna ufahamu, na hakuna shauri linaloweza kusimama kinyume na Yehova.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.
31 Farasi hutayarishwa kwa siku ya mapigano, lakini ushindi hupatikana kwa Yehova.
The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.
