Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme ni mfereji wa maji katika mkono wa Yehova; anaugeuza popote anakopenda.
Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
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, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 Kutenda haki na adili hukubaliwa zaidi na Yehova kuliko sadaka.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kiburi na moyo wa majivuno- taa ya waovu- ni dhambi.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye juhudi huelekea kwenye mafanikio tu, bali kila mtu anayetenda kwa haraka huelekea umasikini.
The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 Kujipatia utajiri kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke unaopita upesi na mtego ambao unafisha.
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 Vurugu ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, maana wanakataa kutenda haki.
The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ukatiri, bali mwenye usafi hutenda yaliyo ya haki.
Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.
9 Bora kuishi kwenye kona ya juu darini kuliko katika nyumba pamoja na mke mgonvi.
Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 Hamu ya mwovu ni uchu wa mabaya; jirani yake haoni ukarimu katika macho yake.
The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
11 Mwenye dhihaka anapoadhibiwa mjinga hupata busara, na mtu mwenye busara anapofundishwa, anaongeza maarifa.
When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
12 Atendaye haki huilinda nyumba ya mwovu; huwashusha waovu kwenye uharibifu.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Anayeziba masikio yake kwenye kilio cha masikini, pia atalia, lakini hatajibiwa.
Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not 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.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 Yule anayezurura kutoka kwenye njia ya ufahamu, atapumzika kwenye kusanyiko la wafu.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 Anayependa raha atakuwa masikini; anayependa divai na mafuta hawezi kuwa tajiri.
Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
18 Mtu mbaya ni fidia kwa yule atendaye haki, na mdanganyifu ni fidia kwa waaminifu.
The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 Bora kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi pamoja na mwanamke ambaye huchochea sana ugomvi na malalamiko.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 Hazina yenye thamani na mafuta vipo nyumbani kwa mwenye busara, bali mtu mpumbavu huviharibu.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 Mtu atendaye haki na mwema -huyu mtu hupata uzima, haki na heshima.
Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 Mtu mwenye busara huupima mji wa mashujaa, na huiangusha ngome wanayoitumaini.
A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Anayelinda kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda mwenyewe na taabu.
Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na maringo- “Dhihaka” ndilo jina lake - hutenda kwa majivuno na kujidai.
Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 Shauku ya mtu mvivu itamuua, maana mikono yake hukataa kufanya kazi.
The desire of the slothful slayeth 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 desiring he hath desired, And 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] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali anayesikiliza ataongea kwa muda wote.
A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 Mtu mwovu huufanya uso wake kuwa mgumu, bali mtu mwadilifu ni thabiti juu ya njia zake.
A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.
30 Hakuna hekima, hakuna ufahamu, na hakuna shauri linaloweza kusimama kinyume na Yehova.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 Farasi hutayarishwa kwa siku ya mapigano, lakini ushindi hupatikana kwa Yehova.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
