Proverbs 4
1 Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.
Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
2 For I have given to you good learning, do not forsake my law.
Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
3 For I have been a son to my father—tender, And an only one before my mother.
Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
4 And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live.
baba alinifundisha akisema, “Yashike maneno yangu yote kwa moyo wako wote; yashike maagizo yangu na wewe utaishi.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth.
Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
6 Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, Love her, and she keeps you.
Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
7 The first thing [is] wisdom—get wisdom, And with all your getting get understanding.
Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
8 Exalt her and she lifts you up, She honors you when you embrace her.
Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
9 She gives a wreath of grace to your head, She gives you a crown of beauty freely.”
Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life [are] multiplied to you.
Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
11 I have directed you in a way of wisdom, I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.
Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
12 In your walking your step is not restricted, And if you run, you do not stumble.
Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she [is] your life.
Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked, And do not be blessed in a way of evildoers.
Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
15 Avoid it, do not pass over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on.
Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
16 For they do not sleep if they do no evil, And their sleep has been taken away violently, If they do not cause [some] to stumble.
Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And they drink wine of violence.
Wanakula mkate wa uovu, na kunywa mvinyo wa jeuri.
18 And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, Going and brightening until the day is established,
Njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ya kwanza ya mapambazuko, ambayo hungʼaa zaidi na zaidi mpaka mchana mkamilifu.
19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
20 My son, give attention to my words, Incline your ear to my sayings,
Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
21 Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, Preserve them in the midst of your heart.
Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
22 For they [are] life to those finding them, And healing to all their flesh.
kwa sababu ni uzima kwa wale wanaoyapata na afya kwa mwili wote wa mwanadamu.
23 Above every charge keep your heart, For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.
Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
24 Turn aside a contrary mouth from you, And put perverse lips far from you,
Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
25 Your eyes look straightforward, And your eyelids look straight before you.
Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
26 Ponder the path of your feet, And all your ways [are] established.
Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
27 Do not incline [to] the right or to the left, Turn aside your foot from evil!
Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
