Proverbs 4
1 Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
2 For I give you a good gift; forsake you not my law.
Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
3 For I also was a son obedient to [my] father, and loved in the sight of [my] mother:
Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
4 who spoke and instructed me, [saying], Let our speech be fixed in your heart, keep [our] commandments, forget them not:
baba alinifundisha akisema, “Yashike maneno yangu yote kwa moyo wako wote; yashike maagizo yangu na wewe utaishi.
5 and do not neglect the speech of my mouth.
Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
6 And forsake it not, and it shall cleave to you: love it, and it shall keep you.
Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
8 Secure it, and it shall exalt you: honour it, that it may embrace you;
Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
9 that it may give to your head a crown of graces, and may cover you with a crown of delight.
Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
10 Hear, [my] son, and receive my words; and the years of your life shall be increased, that the resources of your life may be many.
Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
11 For I teach you the ways of wisdom; and I cause you to go in right paths.
Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
12 For when you go, your steps shall not be straitened; and when you run, you shall not be distressed.
Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
13 Take hold of my instruction; let it not go, —but keep it for yourself for your life.
Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
14 Go not in the ways of the ungodly, neither covet the ways of transgressors.
Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
15 In whatever place they shall pitch their camp, go not there; but turn from them, and pass away.
Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
16 For they can’t sleep, unless they have done evil: their sleep is taken away, and they rest not.
Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
17 For these live upon the bread of ungodliness, and are drunken with wine of transgression.
Wanakula mkate wa uovu, na kunywa mvinyo wa jeuri.
18 But the ways of the righteous shine like light; they go on and shine, until the day be fully come.
Njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ya kwanza ya mapambazuko, ambayo hungʼaa zaidi na zaidi mpaka mchana mkamilifu.
19 But the ways of the ungodly are dark; they know not how they stumble.
Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
20 [My] son, attend to my speech; and apply your ear to my words:
Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
21 that your fountains may not fail you; keep them in [your] heart.
Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
22 For they are life to those that find them, and health to all [their] flesh.
kwa sababu ni uzima kwa wale wanaoyapata na afya kwa mwili wote wa mwanadamu.
23 Keep your heart with the utmost care; for out of these are the issues of life.
Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
24 Remove from you a froward mouth, and put far away from you unjust lips.
Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
25 Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids assent [to] just [things].
Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
26 Make straight paths for your feet, and order your ways aright.
Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
27 Turn not aside to the right hand nor to the left, but turn away your foot from an evil way.
Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
