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 rivers of water: 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 pondereth 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.
A high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing 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 of every one [that is] hasty 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 vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
7 Vurugu ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, maana wanakataa kutenda haki.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ukatiri, bali mwenye usafi hutenda yaliyo ya haki.
The way of man [is] froward and strange: 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 a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling 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 neighbor findeth no favor 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] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
13 Anayeziba masikio yake kwenye kilio cha masikini, pia atalia, lakini hatajibiwa.
Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, 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 reward 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 just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] 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 remain 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 [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 Bora kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi pamoja na mwanamke ambaye huchochea sana ugomvi na malalamiko.
[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 Hazina yenye thamani na mafuta vipo nyumbani kwa mwenye busara, bali mtu mpumbavu huviharibu.
[There is] a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth 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 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 of its confidence.
23 Anayelinda kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda mwenyewe na taabu.
Whoever 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.
Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 Shauku ya mtu mvivu itamuua, maana mikono yake hukataa kufanya kazi.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Kwa siku nzima hupatwa na uchu na uchu zaidi, lakini atendaye haki hutoa na wala hazuii.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 Sadaka ya mwovu ni chukizo; huwa ni chukizo zaidi anapoileta kwa nia mbaya.
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] 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 speaketh constantly.
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 directeth 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 against the day of battle: but safety [is] from the LORD.
