Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usisahau mafundisho yangu, bali zitunze amri zangu moyoni mwako,
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 kwa kuwa zitakuongezea miaka mingi ya maisha yako na kukuletea mafanikio.
for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.
3 Usiache kamwe upendo na uaminifu vitengane nawe; vifunge shingoni mwako, viandike katika ubao wa moyo wako.
Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na jina zuri mbele za Mungu na mwanadamu.
Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
5 Mtumaini Bwana kwa moyo wako wote wala usizitegemee akili zako mwenyewe;
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 katika njia zako zote mkiri yeye, naye atayanyoosha mapito yako.
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Usiwe mwenye hekima machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Bwana ukajiepushe na uovu.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 Hii itakuletea afya mwilini mwako, na mafuta kwenye mifupa yako.
This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Mheshimu Bwana kwa mali zako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao yako yote;
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
10 ndipo ghala zako zitakapojaa hadi kufurika, viriba vyako vitafurika kwa mvinyo mpya.
then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 Mwanangu, usiidharau adhabu ya Bwana na usichukie kukaripiwa naye,
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;
12 kwa sababu Bwana huwaadibisha wale awapendao, kama vile baba afanyavyo kwa mwana apendezwaye naye.
for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Heri mtu yule aonaye hekima, mtu yule apataye ufahamu,
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
14 kwa maana hekima ana faida kuliko fedha na mapato yake ni bora kuliko ya dhahabu safi.
for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
15 Hekima ana thamani kuliko marijani; hakuna chochote unachokitamani kinachoweza kulinganishwa naye.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Maisha marefu yako katika mkono wake wa kuume; katika mkono wake wa kushoto kuna utajiri na heshima.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Njia zake zinapendeza, mapito yake yote ni amani.
All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
18 Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomkumbatia; wale wamshikao watabarikiwa.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
19 Kwa hekima Bwana aliiweka misingi ya dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziweka mbingu mahali pake;
The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
20 kwa maarifa yake vilindi viligawanywa, nayo mawingu yanadondosha umande.
By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.
21 Mwanangu, hifadhi maamuzi mema na busara, usiache vitoke machoni pako;
My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
22 ndipo vitakapokuwa uzima nafsini mwako na pambo la neema shingoni mwako.
They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
23 Kisha utaenda katika njia yako salama, wala mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
24 ulalapo, hautaogopa; ulalapo usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Usiogope maafa ya ghafula au maangamizi yanayowapata waovu,
Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 kwa kuwa Bwana atakuwa tumaini lako na kuepusha mguu wako kunaswa katika mtego.
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
27 Usizuie wema kwa wale wanaostahili ikiwa katika uwezo wako kutenda.
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
28 Usimwambie jirani yako, “Njoo baadaye, nitakupa kesho”: wakati wewe unacho kitu kile karibu nawe.
Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”— when you already have the means.
29 Usifanye hila ya kumdhuru jirani yako, ambaye anaishi karibu na wewe akikuamini.
Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.
30 Usimshtaki mtu bila sababu, wakati hajakutenda dhara lolote.
Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
31 Usimwonee wivu mtu mwenye jeuri wala kuchagua njia yake iwayo yote,
Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
32 kwa kuwa Bwana humchukia mtu mpotovu, lakini siri yake iko kwa mwenye haki.
for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.
33 Laana ya Bwana i juu ya nyumba ya mwovu, lakini yeye huibariki nyumba ya mwenye haki.
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.
34 Huwadhihaki wale wanaodhihaki, lakini huwapa neema wale wanyenyekevu.
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
35 Wenye hekima hurithi heshima, bali huwaaibisha wapumbavu.
The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.
