Proverbs 16

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

1 Mipango ya moyoni ni ya mwanadamu, bali jibu la ulimi hutoka kwa Bwana.

2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

2 Njia zote za mtu huonekana safi machoni pake mwenyewe, bali makusudi hupimwa na Bwana.

3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

3 Mkabidhi Bwana lolote ufanyalo, nayo mipango yako itafanikiwa.

4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.

4 Bwana hufanya kila kitu kwa kusudi lake mwenyewe; hata waovu kwa siku ya maangamizi.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.

5 Bwana huwachukia sana wote wenye kiburi cha moyo. Uwe na hakika kwa hili: Hawataepuka kuadhibiwa.

6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

6 Kwa upendo na uaminifu uovu huondolewa; kwa kumcha Bwana mtu hujiepusha na ubaya.

7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

7 Njia za mtu zinapompendeza Bwana, huwafanya hata adui zake waishi naye kwa amani.

8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.

8 Afadhali kitu kidogo pamoja na haki kuliko mapato mengi pamoja na udhalimu.

9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

9 Moyo wa mtu huifikiri njia yake, bali Bwana huelekeza hatua zake.

10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

10 Midomo ya mfalme huzungumza kwa hekima ya kiungu, wala kinywa chake hakipotoshi haki.

11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

11 Vipimo na mizani za halali hutoka kwa Bwana; mawe yote ya kupimia yaliyo katika mfuko ameyafanya yeye.

12 Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

12 Wafalme huchukia sana kutenda maovu, kwa maana kiti cha ufalme hufanywa imara kwa njia ya haki.

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

13 Wafalme hufurahia midomo ya uaminifu; humthamini mtu asemaye kweli.

14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

14 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni mjumbe wa mauti, bali mtu mwenye hekima ataituliza.

15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

15 Uso wa mfalme ungʼaapo, inamaanisha uhai; upendeleo wake ni kama wingu la mvua wakati wa vuli.

16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

16 Ni bora kiasi gani kupata hekima kuliko dhahabu, kuchagua ufahamu kuliko fedha!

17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

17 Njia kuu ya wanyofu huepuka ubaya; yeye aichungaye njia yake, huchunga maisha yake.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

18 Kiburi hutangulia maangamizi, roho ya majivuno hutangulia maanguko.

19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

19 Ni afadhali kuwa mnyenyekevu katika roho miongoni mwa walioonewa kuliko kugawana nyara pamoja na wenye kiburi.

20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

20 Yeyote anayekubali mafundisho hustawi, tena amebarikiwa yeye anayemtumaini Bwana.

21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

21 Wenye hekima moyoni huitwa wenye ufahamu, na maneno ya kupendeza huchochea mafundisho.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

22 Ufahamu ni chemchemi ya uzima kwa wale walio nao, bali upumbavu huleta adhabu kwa wapumbavu.

23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

23 Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huongoza kinywa chake, na midomo yake huchochea mafundisho.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

24 Maneno ya kupendeza ni kama sega la asali, ni matamu kwa nafsi na uponyaji kwenye mifupa.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

25 Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.

26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.

26 Shauku ya mfanyakazi humhimiza kufanya kazi; njaa yake humsukuma aendelee.

27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

27 Mtu mbaya kabisa hupanga mabaya, maneno yake ni kama moto uunguzao.

28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

28 Mtu mpotovu huchochea ugomvi, nayo maongezi ya upuzi hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.

29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

29 Mtu mkali humvuta jirani yake na kumwongoza katika mapito yale mabaya.

30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

30 Yeye akonyezaye kwa jicho lake anapanga upotovu; naye akazaye midomo yake amenuia mabaya.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

31 Mvi ni taji ya utukufu; hupatikana kwa maisha ya uadilifu.

32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

32 Ni afadhali mtu mstahimilivu kuliko shujaa, mtu anayeitawala hasira yake kuliko yule autekaye mji.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

33 Kura hupigwa kwa siri, lakini kila uamuzi wake hutoka kwa Bwana.