Proverbs 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel,
Mithali za Sulemani mwana wa Daudi, mfalme wa Israeli.
2 to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding,
Mithali hizi zinafundisha hekima na maarifa, kufundisha maneno ya busara,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness and justice and equity,
ili mpate maarifa kwa ajili ya kuishi kwa kutenda wema, haki na adili.
4 to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion,
Mithali hizi zinatoa hekima kwa wale ambao hawakufunzwa, na kuwapa vijana maarifa na hadhari.
5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning, and that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsels,
Watu wenye busara wasikie na kuongeza elimu yao na watu wenye ufahamu wapate mwongozo,
6 to understand a proverb, and a figure, the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
kwa kuelewa mithali, misemo, vitendawili na maneno ya wenye busara.
7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. The foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
Hofu ya Yehova ni chanzo cha maarifa- wapumbavu hudharau hekima na nidhamu.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
Mwanangu, sikia fundisho la baba yako na wala usiziache kanuni za mama yako;
9 For they shall be a garland of grace to thy head, and chains about thy neck.
zitakuwa kilemba cha neema katika kichwa chako na jebu zinazoning'inia kwenye shingo yako.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Mwanangu wenye dhambi wakikushawishi katika dhambi zao, kataa kuwafuata.
11 If they say, Come with us. Let us lay wait for blood. Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
Kama watasema, “haya tufuatae, tuvizie ili kufanya mauaji, tujifiche ili tuwashambulie watu wasio na hatia, pasipo sababu.
12 Let us swallow them up alive as Sheol, and whole, as those who go down into the pit. (Sheol h7585)
Haya tuwameza wakiwa hai, kama kuzimu inavyowachukua wenye afya, na kuwa kama wale waangukao kwenye shimoni. (Sheol h7585)
13 We shall find all precious substance. We shall fill our houses with spoil.
Tutapata vitu vyote vya thamani; tutazijaza nyumba zetu vile tunavyoiba kwa wengine.
14 Thou shall cast thy lot among us. We will all have one bag.
Weka vitu vyako kwetu; tutakuwa na mfuko moja kwa pamoja.”
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them. Restrain thy foot from their path.
Mwanangu, usitembee katika njia moja pamoja nao; usiruhusu mguu wako kugusa katika mapito yao;
16 For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
miguu ya hukimbilia mabaya na huharakisha kumwaga damu.
17 For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird,
Kwa kuwa haina maana kumtegea ndege mtego wakati ndege anaona.
18 and these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
Watu hawa huvizia kujiua wenyewe—wanatega mtego kwa ajili yao wenyewe.
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain. It takes away the life of the owners of it.
Ndivyo zilivyo njia za kila ambaye hupata utajiri kwa udhalimu; mapato ya udhalimu huondoa uhai wa wenye utajiri.
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the broad places.
Hekima inalia kwa sauti mtaani, inapaza sauti katika viwanja;
21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, at the entrance of the gates, in the city. She utters her words:
katika mitaa inalia kwa sauti kuu, kwenye maingilio ya milango ya mji inasema “
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?
Mpaka lini enyi wajinga mtapenda kuwa wajinga? Mpaka lini enyi wenye dhihaka mtapenda dhihaka, na hadi lini enyi wapumbavu, mtachukia maarifa?
23 Turn back at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you. I will make my words known to you.
Zingatia karipio langu; nitatoa mawazo yangu kwa ajili yenu; nitawafahamisha maneno yangu.
24 Because I have called, and ye have refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man has regarded,
Nimeita, nanyi mkakataa kusikiliza; nimeunyosha mkono wangu, wala hakuna aliyezingatia.
25 but ye have made all my counsel void, and want none of my reproof,
Lakini mumedharau mafundisho yangu yote na wala hamkuzingatia maelekezo yangu.
26 I also will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your fear comes,
Nitacheka katika taabu yenu, nitawadhihaki wakati wa kupatwa taabu-
27 when your fear comes as a storm, and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
hofu ya kutisha itawapata kama tufani na maafa yatawakumba kama upepo wa kisulisuli, taabu na uchungu vitawapata.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me,
Halafu wataniita, nami sitawajibu; wataniita katika hali ya kukata tamaa lakini hawataniona.
29 because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Jehovah.
Kwa sababu wamechukia maarifa na hawakuchagua kuwa na hofu ya Yehova,
30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
hawakufuata mafundisho yangu na wakayadharau masahihisho yangu yote.
31 Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Watakula matunda ya njia zao, na watashibishwa kwa matunda ya hila zao wenyewe.
32 For the backsliding of the simple shall kill them, and the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.
kwa maana wajinga hufa wanaporudi nyuma, na kutojali kwa wapumbavu kutawaangamiza.
33 But he who hearkens to me shall dwell securely, and shall be quiet without fear of evil.
Bali kila anisikilizaye ataishi kwa usalama na atapumzika salama pasipo hofu ya maafa.
