Mithali 1
1 Mithali za Solomoni mwana wa Daudi, mfalme wa Israeli:
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.
2 Kwa kupata hekima na nidhamu; kwa kufahamu maneno ya busara;
They are for achieving wisdom and instruction, and to recognize sayings that bring insight.
3 kwa kujipatia nidhamu na busara, kufanya lililo sawa, haki na bila kupendelea;
They provide education in what makes sense, living right, judging correctly, and acting fairly.
4 huwapa busara wajinga, maarifa na akili kwa vijana;
They give discernment to the immature, knowledge and discretion to the young.
5 wenye hekima na wasikilize nao waongeze elimu yao, wenye kupambanua na wapate mwongozo;
Wise people will listen and gain in learning, and those who have good judgment will gain skills in guidance,
6 kwa kufahamu mithali na mifano, misemo na vitendawili vya wenye hekima.
understanding the proverbs and puzzles, the sayings and questions of the wise.
7 Kumcha Bwana ndicho chanzo cha maarifa, lakini wapumbavu hudharau hekima na adabu.
Honoring the Lord is where true knowledge begins, but fools treat wisdom and good advice with contempt.
8 Mwanangu, sikiliza mwongozo wa baba yako, wala usiyaache mafundisho ya mama yako.
My son, pay attention to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching.
9 Hayo yatakuwa taji la maua la neema kichwani pako, na mkufu wa kuipamba shingo yako.
They are a wreath of grace to decorate your head; they are pendants for your neck.
10 Mwanangu, kama wenye dhambi wakikushawishi, usikubaliane nao.
My son, if evil people try to tempt you, don't give into them.
11 Kama wakisema, “Twende tufuatane; tukamvizie mtu na kumwaga damu, njoo tukavizie nafsi isiyo na hatia;
They may tell you, “Come with us. Let's go and hide, ready to kill someone. Let's ambush someone for fun!
Let's bury them alive; let's put them in the grave while they're still healthy! (Sheol h7585)
13 Tutapata aina zote za vitu vya thamani na kujaza nyumba zetu kwa nyara.
We'll take from them all kinds of valuable things and fill our homes with the stuff we steal!
14 Njoo ushirikiane nasi, vitu vyote tutakavyopata tutagawana.”
Come and join us and we'll all share what we get!”
15 Mwanangu, usiandamane nao. Usiweke mguu wako katika njia zao,
My son, don't follow their ways. Don't go in that direction with them.
16 kwa kuwa miguu yao hukimbilia kwenye dhambi, ni wepesi kumwaga damu.
For they rush to do evil; they hurry to commit violence and murder.
17 Tazama ni jinsi gani ilivyo kazi bure kutandaza wavu wakati ndege wote wanakuona!
There's no point in trying to lure birds into a net when they can see it.
18 Watu hawa huvizia kumwaga damu yao wenyewe; hujivizia tu wenyewe!
However, these evil people hide ready to kill others, but they themselves are the victims. They're only ambushing themselves!
19 Huu ndio mwisho wa wote ambao wanajipatia mali kwa hila; huuondoa uhai wa wale wenye mali.
This is what happens to you if you try to become rich through crime—it kills you!
20 Hekima huita kwa sauti kuu barabarani, hupaza sauti yake kwenye viwanja vikubwa;
Wisdom calls out in the streets; she shouts aloud in the squares.
21 kwenye makutano ya barabara za mji zenye makelele mengi hupaza sauti, kwenye malango ya mji hutoa hotuba yake:
She cries out at busy corners; she explains her message at the town gates:
22 “Enyi wajinga, mtangʼangʼania ujinga wenu hadi lini? Mpaka lini wenye mizaha watafurahia mizaha, na wapumbavu kuchukia maarifa?
“How long will you stupid people love stupidity? How long will scornful people enjoy their mocking? How long will fools hate knowledge?
23 Kama mngekuwa mmeitikia karipio langu, ningekuwa nimemimina roho yangu kwenu na kuwafahamisha maneno yangu.
Pay attention to my warnings, and I'll pour out my deepest thoughts to you—I'll explain what I know to you.
24 Lakini kwa kuwa mlinikataa nilipowaita na hakuna yeyote aliyekubali niliponyoosha mkono wangu,
For I have called you, but you refused to listen; I reached out my hand to you, but you didn't care.
25 kwa kuwa mliyapuuza mashauri yangu yote na hamkukubali karipio langu,
You ignored everything I said; you wouldn't accept any of my warnings.
26 mimi nami nitawacheka katika maafa yenu, nitawadhihaki wakati janga litawapata:
So I'll laugh at you when you're in trouble; I'll mock you when you're in a panic.
27 wakati janga litawapata kama tufani, wakati maafa yatawazoa kama upepo wa kisulisuli, wakati dhiki na taabu zitawalemea.
When panic rains down on you like a storm, when trouble hits you like a whirlwind, when sorrow and pain come on you,
28 “Ndipo watakaponiita lakini sitawajibu; watanitafuta lakini hawatanipata.
then you'll call out to me for help, but I won't answer; you'll search hard for me, but won't find me.
29 Kwa kuwa walichukia maarifa, wala hawakuchagua kumcha Bwana,
Why?—because they hated knowledge, and they didn't choose to respect the Lord.
30 kwa kuwa hawakukubali mashauri yangu, na kukataa maonyo yangu,
They're not willing to accept my advice; they despise all my warnings.
31 watakula matunda ya njia zao, na watashibishwa matunda ya hila zao.
So they'll have to eat the fruit of their own choices, bloated by their own devious schemes.
32 Kwa kuwa ukaidi wa wajinga utawaua, nako kuridhika kwa wajinga kutawaangamiza.
Stupid people are killed by their rebellion; foolish people are destroyed by their lack of concern.
33 Lakini yeyote anisikilizaye ataishi kwa usalama, atatulia, bila kuwa na hofu ya madhara.”
But everyone who listens to me will be kept safe, and will live without worrying about problems.”
