Ecclesiastes 7
1 A good reputation is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you were born.
Afadhali sifa nzuri kuliko manukato safi, nayo siku ya kufa kuliko ya kuzaliwa.
2 It's better to go to a funeral than to a party. In the end, everyone dies, and those who are still alive should think about it.
Afadhali kwenda kwenye nyumba ya msiba kuliko kwenda kwenye nyumba ya karamu, kwa kuwa kifo ni hatima ya kila mwanadamu, imewapasa walio hai kuliweka hili mioyoni mwao.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for tragedy helps us by making us think.
Huzuni ni afadhali kuliko kicheko, kwa sababu uso wenye huzuni wafaa kwa moyo.
4 Wise people think about the impact of death, while those who are fools only think about having a good time.
Moyo wa wenye hekima uko katika nyumba ya msiba, lakini moyo wa wapumbavu uko katika nyumba ya anasa.
5 It's better to listen to criticism from a wise person than to hear the song of fools.
Afadhali kusikia karipio la mtu mwenye hekima, kuliko kusikiliza wimbo wa wapumbavu.
6 The laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorn twigs burning under a pot—without sense and quickly over.
Kama ilivyo kuvunjika kwa miiba chini ya sufuria, ndivyo kilivyo kicheko cha wapumbavu. Hili nalo pia ni ubatili.
7 Extorting money from others makes wise people into fools, and accepting bribes corrupts the mind.
Dhuluma humfanya mtu mwenye hekima kuwa mpumbavu, nayo rushwa huuharibu moyo.
8 Completing something is better than starting it. Being patient is better than being proud.
Mwisho wa jambo ni bora kuliko mwanzo wake, uvumilivu ni bora kuliko kiburi.
9 Don't be quick to get angry, for anger controls the minds of fools.
Usiwe mwepesi kukasirika rohoni mwako, kwa kuwa hasira hukaa kifuani mwa wapumbavu.
10 Don't ask, “Why were the good old days better than now?” Asking such questions shows you are not wise.
Usiseme, “Kwa nini siku za kale zilikuwa bora kuliko siku hizi?” Kwa maana si hekima kuuliza maswali kama hayo.
11 Wisdom is good—it's like receiving an inheritance. It benefits everyone in life.
Hekima, kama ulivyo urithi, ni kitu chema na huwafaidia wale walionalo jua.
12 For wisdom provides security, as does money, but the advantage for those who have wisdom is that they are kept safe and sound!
Hekima ni ulinzi kama fedha ilivyo ulinzi, lakini faida ya maarifa ni hii: kwamba hekima huhifadhi maisha ya aliye nayo.
13 Think about what God does. If he makes something bent, you can't straighten it!
Tafakari kile Mungu alichokitenda: Nani awezaye kunyoosha kile ambacho yeye amekipinda?
14 On a good day, be happy. When a bad day comes, stop and think. God made each day, so you don't know what will happen to you next.
Nyakati zikiwa nzuri, ufurahi, lakini nyakati zikiwa mbaya, tafakari: Mungu amefanya hiyo moja, naam, sanjari na hiyo nyingine. Kwa hiyo, mwanadamu hawezi kugundua kitu chochote kuhusu maisha yake ya baadaye.
15 Throughout my life I've seen so much that is hard to understand. Good people who die young despite doing what is right, and wicked people who live long evil lives.
Katika maisha haya yangu ya ubatili nimeshaona haya mawili: mtu mwadilifu akiangamia katika uadilifu wake, naye mtu mwovu akiishi maisha marefu katika uovu wake.
16 Don't think you can make yourself right by a lot of religious observance, and don't pretend to be so wise. Do you want to destroy yourself?
Usiwe mwenye haki kupita kiasi, wala usiwe na hekima kupita kiasi: kwa nini kujiangamiza mwenyewe?
17 On the other hand, don't decide to live an evil life—don't be a fool! Why die before your time?
Usiwe mwovu kupita kiasi, wala usiwe mpumbavu: kwa nini kufa kabla ya wakati wako?
18 You ought to keep in mind these warnings. Those who follow God will be sure to avoid both.
Ni vyema kushika hilo moja na wala usiache hilo jingine likupite. Mtu amchaye Mungu ataepuka huko kupita kiasi.
19 Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.
Hekima humfanya yeye aliye nayo kuwa na uwezo zaidi kuliko watawala kumi katika mji.
20 There's not one good person in all the world who always does what is right and never sins.
Hakuna mtu mwenye haki duniani ambaye hufanya mambo ya haki na kamwe asitende dhambi.
21 Don't take to heart everything that people say, otherwise you may hear your servant talking badly about you,
Usitie maanani kila neno linalosemwa na watu, la sivyo, waweza kumsikia mtumishi wako akikulaani:
22 for you know how many times you yourself have talked badly about others!
kwa kuwa unafahamu moyoni mwako kwamba wewe mwenyewe mara nyingi umewalaani wengine.
23 I have examined all this using the principles of wisdom. I told myself, “I will think wisely.” But wisdom eluded me.
Yote haya niliyajaribu kwa hekima, nikasema, “Nimeamua kuwa na hekima”: lakini hii ilikuwa nje ya uwezo wangu.
24 Everything that exists is beyond our grasp—too deep for our understanding. Who can comprehend it?
Vyovyote hekima ilivyo, hekima iko mbali sana na imejificha, ni nani awezaye kuigundua?
25 I turned my thoughts to discover, investigate, and to find out more about wisdom and what makes sense. I wanted to know more about how stupid evil really is, and how ridiculous it is to be a fool.
Nikageuza fikira zangu ili kuelewa, kuchunguza na kuitafuta hekima na kusudi la mambo, na ili kuelewa ujinga wa uovu, na wazimu wa upumbavu.
26 I discovered something more horrible than death: foolishness like a woman who tries to entrap you, who wants to use her mind and hands to catch you and tie you up. Those who follow God will not be caught, but sinners will fall into her trap.
Nimeona jambo lililo chungu kuliko mauti, mwanamke ambaye ni mtego, ambaye moyo wake ni wavu wa kutegea na mikono yake ni minyororo. Mtu ampendezaye Mungu atamkwepa, bali mwenye dhambi atanaswa naye.
27 This is what I discovered after putting two and two together to try and find out what it all meant, says the Teacher.
Mhubiri anasema, “Tazama, hili ndilo nililogundua: “Nimegundua kitu kimoja baada ya kingine nilipokuwa katika kusudi la mambo:
28 Although I really searched, I didn't find what I was looking for. People say, “I found one man among a thousand, but not one woman.”
ningali natafiti lakini sipati: nilimpata mwanaume mmoja mnyofu miongoni mwa elfu, lakini hakuna mwanamke mmoja mnyofu miongoni mwao.
29 But I did find this one thing: God made people to do what's right, but they have followed their own ideas.
Hili ndilo peke yake nililolipata: Mungu amemuumba mwanadamu mnyofu, lakini mwanadamu amebuni mambo mengi.”
