1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Moyo wa mfalme huwa katika mkono wa Bwana; Kama mifereji ya maji huugeuza po pote apendapo.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes:
But the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Kila njia ya mtu ni sawa machoni pake mwenyewe; Bali Bwana huipima mioyo.
3 To do justice and judgment
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Kutenda haki na hukumu Humpendeza Bwana kuliko kutoa sadaka.
4 An high look, and a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Macho yenye kiburi, na moyo wa kutakabari, Hata ukulima wa waovu, ni dhambi.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness;
But of every one that is hasty only to want.
Mawazo ya wenye bidii huuelekea utajiri tu; Bali kila mwenye pupa huuelekea uhitaji.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Kupata akiba ya mali kwa ulimi wa uongo Ni moshi upeperushwao; ni kutafuta mauti.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them;
Because they refuse to do judgment.
Jeuri ya wabaya itawaondolea mbali; Kwa sababu wamekataa kutenda hukumu.
8 The way of man is froward and strange:
But as for the pure, his work is right.
Njia yake aliyelemewa na dhambi imepotoka sana; Bali mtu aliye safi, kazi yake ni sawasawa.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop,
Than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
Ni afadhali kukaa katika pembe ya darini, Kuliko katika nyumba pana pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil:
His neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Nafsi ya mtu mbaya hutamani uovu; Jirani yake hapati fadhili machoni pake.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise:
And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Mwenye mzaha aadhibiwapo, mjinga hupata hekima; Na mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupokea maarifa.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked:
But God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
Mwenye haki huitafakari nyumba ya mtu mbaya; Jinsi wabaya waangushwavyo wakaangamia.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Azibaye masikio yake asisikie kilio cha maskini, Yeye naye atalia, lakini hatasikiwa.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger:
And a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
Kipawa cha siri hutuliza hasira; Na rushwa bindoni humliza ghadhabu kali.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment:
But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Ni furaha yao wenye haki kutenda hukumu; Lakini ni uharibifu kwao watendao maovu.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
Shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Mtu aikosaye njia ya busara Atakaa katika mkutano wao waliokufa.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man:
He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini; Apendaye mvinyo na mafuta hatakuwa tajiri.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the transgressor for the upright.
Mtu asiye haki ni fidia ya wenye haki; Naye afanyaye hila ni badala ya watu wa adili.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Ni afadhali kukaa katika nchi ya nyika; Kuliko na mwanamke mgomvi, mchokozi.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
But a foolish man spendeth it up.
Kuna hazina ya thamani na mafuta katika maskani ya mwenye hekima; Bali mwanadamu aliye mpumbavu huyameza.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Aandamaye haki na fadhili, Ataona uhai na haki na heshima.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,
And casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Mwenye hekima huupandia mji wao wenye nguvu; Na kuziangusha nguvu za tumaini lao.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Mtu azuiaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake, Atajilinda nafsi yake na taabu.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name,
Who dealeth in proud wrath.
Mwenye kiburi na kutakabari, jina lake ni mbishi; Hutenda mambo katika majivuno ya kiburi chake.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him;
For his hands refuse to labour.
Matakwa yake mtu mvivu humfisha, Kwa maana mikono yake hukataa kufanya kazi.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long:
But the righteous giveth and spareth not.
Kuna atamaniye kwa choyo mchana kutwa; Bali mwenye haki hutoa wala hanyimi.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination:
How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
Sadaka ya wasio haki ni chukizo; Si zaidi sana ailetapo mwenye nia mbaya!
28 A false witness shall perish:
But the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
Shahidi wa uongo atapotea; Bali mtu asikiaye atasema maneno yadumuyo.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face:
But as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Asiye haki huufanya uso wake kuwa mgumu; Bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiri njia zake.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding
Nor counsel against the LORD.
Hapana hekima, wala ufahamu, Wala shauri, juu ya Bwana.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle:
But safety is of the LORD.
Farasi huwekwa tayari kwa siku ya vita; Lakini Bwana ndiye aletaye wokovu.
