Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

1 Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

2 Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.

3 To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.

4 Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!

5 The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

5 Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.

6 Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.

7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.

7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.

8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.

9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

9 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.

10 The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.

11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

11 Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.

13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.

14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

14 Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.

16 The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.

17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.

18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

18 Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.

19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

19 Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.

20 Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.

21 He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.

21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

22 Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.

23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.

24 Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.

24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.

25 The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.

26 All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!

27 Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!

28 A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.

29 A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.

30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

30 Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.

31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

31 Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.