Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usisahau mafundisho yangu, bali zitunze amri zangu moyoni mwako,
My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments:
2 kwa kuwa zitakuongezea miaka mingi ya maisha yako na kukuletea mafanikio.
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.
3 Usiache kamwe upendo na uaminifu vitengane nawe; vifunge shingoni mwako, viandike katika ubao wa moyo wako.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart:
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na jina zuri mbele za Mungu na mwanadamu.
So shall you find favor and good understanding 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 to your own understanding.
6 katika njia zako zote mkiri yeye, naye atayanyoosha mapito yako.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
7 Usiwe mwenye hekima machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Bwana ukajiepushe na uovu.
Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 Hii itakuletea afya mwilini mwako, na mafuta kwenye mifupa yako.
It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.
9 Mheshimu Bwana kwa mali zako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao yako yote;
Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase:
10 ndipo ghala zako zitakapojaa hadi kufurika, viriba vyako vitafurika kwa mvinyo mpya.
So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 Mwanangu, usiidharau adhabu ya Bwana na usichukie kukaripiwa naye,
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 kwa sababu Bwana huwaadibisha wale awapendao, kama vile baba afanyavyo kwa mwana apendezwaye naye.
For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Heri mtu yule aonaye hekima, mtu yule apataye ufahamu,
Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding.
14 kwa maana hekima ana faida kuliko fedha na mapato yake ni bora kuliko ya dhahabu safi.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 Hekima ana thamani kuliko marijani; hakuna chochote unachokitamani kinachoweza kulinganishwa naye.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared to her.
16 Maisha marefu yako katika mkono wake wa kuume; katika mkono wake wa kushoto kuna utajiri na heshima.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.
17 Njia zake zinapendeza, mapito yake yote ni amani.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomkumbatia; wale wamshikao watabarikiwa.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and happy is every one that retains her.
19 Kwa hekima Bwana aliiweka misingi ya dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziweka mbingu mahali pake;
The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens.
20 kwa maarifa yake vilindi viligawanywa, nayo mawingu yanadondosha umande.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 Mwanangu, hifadhi maamuzi mema na busara, usiache vitoke machoni pako;
My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 ndipo vitakapokuwa uzima nafsini mwako na pambo la neema shingoni mwako.
So shall they be life to your soul, and grace to your neck.
23 Kisha utaenda katika njia yako salama, wala mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.
24 ulalapo, hautaogopa; ulalapo usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.
25 Usiogope maafa ya ghafula au maangamizi yanayowapata waovu,
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.
26 kwa kuwa Bwana atakuwa tumaini lako na kuepusha mguu wako kunaswa katika mtego.
For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.
27 Usizuie wema kwa wale wanaostahili ikiwa katika uwezo wako kutenda.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 Usimwambie jirani yako, “Njoo baadaye, nitakupa kesho”: wakati wewe unacho kitu kile karibu nawe.
Say not to your neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when you have it by you.
29 Usifanye hila ya kumdhuru jirani yako, ambaye anaishi karibu na wewe akikuamini.
Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you.
30 Usimshtaki mtu bila sababu, wakati hajakutenda dhara lolote.
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done you no harm.
31 Usimwonee wivu mtu mwenye jeuri wala kuchagua njia yake iwayo yote,
Envy you not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32 kwa kuwa Bwana humchukia mtu mpotovu, lakini siri yake iko kwa mwenye haki.
For the fraudulent is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 Laana ya Bwana i juu ya nyumba ya mwovu, lakini yeye huibariki nyumba ya mwenye haki.
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just.
34 Huwadhihaki wale wanaodhihaki, lakini huwapa neema wale wanyenyekevu.
Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace to the lowly.
35 Wenye hekima hurithi heshima, bali huwaaibisha wapumbavu.
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
