Proverbs 3
1 My son, do not forget my law, but let thy heart keep my commandments.
Mwanangu, usisahau mafundisho yangu, bali zitunze amri zangu moyoni mwako,
2 For length of days, and years of life, and peace, they will add to thee.
kwa kuwa zitakuongezea miaka mingi ya maisha yako na kukuletea mafanikio.
3 Let not kindness and truth forsake thee. Bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart,
Usiache kamwe upendo na uaminifu vitengane nawe; vifunge shingoni mwako, viandike katika ubao wa moyo wako.
4 so thou shall find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Ndipo utapata kibali na jina zuri mbele za Mungu na mwanadamu.
5 Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding.
Mtumaini Bwana kwa moyo wako wote wala usizitegemee akili zako mwenyewe;
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.
katika njia zako zote mkiri yeye, naye atayanyoosha mapito yako.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil.
Usiwe mwenye hekima machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Bwana ukajiepushe na uovu.
8 It will be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Hii itakuletea afya mwilini mwako, na mafuta kwenye mifupa yako.
9 Honor Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase,
Mheshimu Bwana kwa mali zako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao yako yote;
10 so thy barns shall be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine.
ndipo ghala zako zitakapojaa hadi kufurika, viriba vyako vitafurika kwa mvinyo mpya.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah, nor be weary of his reproof.
Mwanangu, usiidharau adhabu ya Bwana na usichukie kukaripiwa naye,
12 For whom Jehovah loves he reproves, and he whips every son whom he receives.
kwa sababu Bwana huwaadibisha wale awapendao, kama vile baba afanyavyo kwa mwana apendezwaye naye.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding.
Heri mtu yule aonaye hekima, mtu yule apataye ufahamu,
14 For the gain of it is better than the gain of silver, and the profit of it than fine gold.
kwa maana hekima ana faida kuliko fedha na mapato yake ni bora kuliko ya dhahabu safi.
15 She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things thou can desire are to be compared to her.
Hekima ana thamani kuliko marijani; hakuna chochote unachokitamani kinachoweza kulinganishwa naye.
16 Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor.
Maisha marefu yako katika mkono wake wa kuume; katika mkono wake wa kushoto kuna utajiri na heshima.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Njia zake zinapendeza, mapito yake yote ni amani.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her. And happy is everyone who retains her.
Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomkumbatia; wale wamshikao watabarikiwa.
19 Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth. By understanding he established the heavens.
Kwa hekima Bwana aliiweka misingi ya dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziweka mbingu mahali pake;
20 By his knowledge the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
kwa maarifa yake vilindi viligawanywa, nayo mawingu yanadondosha umande.
21 My son, let them not depart from thine eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
Mwanangu, hifadhi maamuzi mema na busara, usiache vitoke machoni pako;
22 so they shall be life to thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
ndipo vitakapokuwa uzima nafsini mwako na pambo la neema shingoni mwako.
23 Then thou shall walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Kisha utaenda katika njia yako salama, wala mguu wako hautajikwaa;
24 When thou lie down, thou shall not be afraid. Yea, thou shall lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
ulalapo, hautaogopa; ulalapo usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.
Usiogope maafa ya ghafula au maangamizi yanayowapata waovu,
26 For Jehovah will be thy confidence, and will keep thy foot from being taken.
kwa kuwa Bwana atakuwa tumaini lako na kuepusha mguu wako kunaswa katika mtego.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
Usizuie wema kwa wale wanaostahili ikiwa katika uwezo wako kutenda.
28 Do not say to thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give, when thou have it by thee.
Usimwambie jirani yako, “Njoo baadaye, nitakupa kesho”: wakati wewe unacho kitu kile karibu nawe.
29 Do not devise evil against thy neighbor, since he dwells securely by thee.
Usifanye hila ya kumdhuru jirani yako, ambaye anaishi karibu na wewe akikuamini.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done thee no harm.
Usimshtaki mtu bila sababu, wakati hajakutenda dhara lolote.
31 Do not envy thou the man of violence, and choose none of his ways.
Usimwonee wivu mtu mwenye jeuri wala kuchagua njia yake iwayo yote,
32 For the perverse man is an abomination to Jehovah, but his friendship is with the upright.
kwa kuwa Bwana humchukia mtu mpotovu, lakini siri yake iko kwa mwenye haki.
33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of a wicked man, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
Laana ya Bwana i juu ya nyumba ya mwovu, lakini yeye huibariki nyumba ya mwenye haki.
34 Surely the Lord is opposed to the arrogant, but he gives grace to the lowly.
Huwadhihaki wale wanaodhihaki, lakini huwapa neema wale wanyenyekevu.
35 The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Wenye hekima hurithi heshima, bali huwaaibisha wapumbavu.
