Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme ni mfereji wa maji katika mkono wa Yehova; anaugeuza popote anakopenda.
The king’s heart is in Adonai’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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 Adonai weighs the hearts.
3 Kutenda haki na adili hukubaliwa zaidi na Yehova kuliko sadaka.
To do righteousness and mishpat ·justice· is more acceptable to Adonai than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kiburi na moyo wa majivuno- taa ya waovu- ni dhambi.
A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp candle of the wicked, is sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye juhudi huelekea kwenye mafanikio tu, bali kila mtu anayetenda kwa haraka huelekea umasikini.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 Kujipatia utajiri kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke unaopita upesi na mtego ambao unafisha.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 Vurugu ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, maana wanakataa kutenda haki.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is mishpat ·just·.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ukatiri, bali mwenye usafi hutenda yaliyo ya haki.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
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 to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 Hamu ya mwovu ni uchu wa mabaya; jirani yake haoni ukarimu katika macho yake.
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.
11 Mwenye dhihaka anapoadhibiwa mjinga hupata busara, na mtu mwenye busara anapofundishwa, anaongeza maarifa.
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 Atendaye haki huilinda nyumba ya mwovu; huwashusha waovu kwenye uharibifu.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Anayeziba masikio yake kwenye kilio cha masikini, pia atalia, lakini hatajibiwa.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 Zawadi ya siri hutuliza hasira na zawadi ya kificho hutuliza ghadhabu kuu.
A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 Haki ikitendeka, huleta furaha kwa mwenye kutenda wema, lakini huleta hofu kubwa kwa watenda mabaya.
It is joy to the upright to do mishpat ·justice·; 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 who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17 Anayependa raha atakuwa masikini; anayependa divai na mafuta hawezi kuwa tajiri.
He who 'ahav ·affectionately loves· pleasure shall be a poor man. He who 'ahav ·affectionately loves· 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 upright; the treacherous for 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 swallows it up.
21 Mtu atendaye haki na mwema -huyu mtu hupata uzima, haki na heshima.
He who follows after righteousness and cheshed ·loving-kindness· finds life, righteousness, and kavod ·weighty glory·.
22 Mtu mwenye busara huupima mji wa mashujaa, na huiangusha ngome wanayoitumaini.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Anayelinda kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda mwenyewe na taabu.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na maringo- “Dhihaka” ndilo jina lake - hutenda kwa majivuno na kujidai.
The proud and haughty man, “scoffer” is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 Shauku ya mtu mvivu itamuua, maana mikono yake hukataa kufanya kazi.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Kwa siku nzima hupatwa na uchu na uchu zaidi, lakini atendaye haki hutoa na wala hazuii.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the upright give and don’t withhold.
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 brings it with a wicked mind!
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali anayesikiliza ataongea kwa muda wote.
A false witness will perish, and a man who sh'ma ·hears obeys· speaks to eternity.
29 Mtu mwovu huufanya uso wake kuwa mgumu, bali mtu mwadilifu ni thabiti juu ya njia zake.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30 Hakuna hekima, hakuna ufahamu, na hakuna shauri linaloweza kusimama kinyume na Yehova.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Adonai.
31 Farasi hutayarishwa kwa siku ya mapigano, lakini ushindi hupatikana kwa Yehova.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Adonai.
