Proverbs 4
1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
2 for I give you sound learning. Do not forsake my law.
Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, 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, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."
Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
13 Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. 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. Do not walk in the way of evil men.
Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
15 Avoid it, and do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
16 For they do not sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
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 But the path of the righteous is like a shining light, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
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 like darkness. They do not know what they stumble over.
Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
22 For they are life to him who finds them, and health to all of his body.
kwa sababu ni uzima kwa wale wanaoyapata na afya kwa mwili wote wa mwanadamu.
23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
27 Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
