Proverbs 4
1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and discover what makes sense,
Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
2 for what I am passing on to you is reliable. Don't reject my teachings.
Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
3 When I was a son with my father—a tender young boy, my mother's only child—
Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
4 he was the one who taught me. He told me, “Pay attention to the words I say and keep them in mind; do what I tell you and you will live.
baba alinifundisha akisema, “Yashike maneno yangu yote kwa moyo wako wote; yashike maagizo yangu na wewe utaishi.
5 Get wisdom, find out what makes sense. Don't forget my words or reject them.
Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
6 Don't give up on wisdom for she will keep you safe. Love wisdom and she will protect you.
Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
7 The first thing in becoming wise is to get wisdom! Whatever else you gain, gain insight.
Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
8 Treasure wisdom, and she will praise you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
9 She will place on your head a wreath of grace; she will present to you a crown of glory.”
Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
10 Listen, my son, if you accept what I tell you, then you will live a long life.
Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
11 I have explained to you the way of wisdom; I have guided you along the right paths.
Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
12 Nothing will block your way when you walk, you won't stumble when you run.
Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
13 Hold on to these instructions—don't let them go. Protect them, for they are life's foundation.
Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
14 Don't go the way of the wicked or follow the example of those who do evil.
Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
15 Avoid that way completely. Don't go there! Turn away, and walk on.
Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
16 Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.
Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
Wanakula mkate wa uovu, na kunywa mvinyo wa jeuri.
18 The way of life of the good is like the light of the sunrise, glowing brighter and brighter until the full light of day shines out.
Njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ya kwanza ya mapambazuko, ambayo hungʼaa zaidi na zaidi mpaka mchana mkamilifu.
19 But the way of life of the wicked is like complete darkness; they don't even know what they're tripping over.
Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
20 My son, pay attention to what I tell you; listen to the words I'm saying.
Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
21 Don't lose sight of them; think about them deeply,
Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
22 for they are life to anyone who finds them, and make the whole body healthy.
kwa sababu ni uzima kwa wale wanaoyapata na afya kwa mwili wote wa mwanadamu.
23 Most of all, protect your mind, for everything in life flows from it.
Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
24 Don't ever lie, and don't say anything dishonest.
Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
25 Focus on what's ahead of you; look at what's in front of you.
Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
26 Pay attention to the path you decide to follow, and you'll be safe wherever you go.
Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
27 Don't deviate to the right or the left, and turn away from evil.
Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
