Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usisahau mafundisho yangu, bali zitunze amri zangu moyoni mwako,
My son, forget not my teaching, And let thy heart observe my precepts!
2 kwa kuwa zitakuongezea miaka mingi ya maisha yako na kukuletea mafanikio.
For length of days, and years of life, And peace shall they multiply to thee.
3 Usiache kamwe upendo na uaminifu vitengane nawe; vifunge shingoni mwako, viandike katika ubao wa moyo wako.
Let not kindness and truth forsake thee; Bind them around thy neck, Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na jina zuri mbele za Mungu na mwanadamu.
Then shalt thou find favor and good success 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 thy heart, And lean not on thine own understanding;
6 katika njia zako zote mkiri yeye, naye atayanyoosha mapito yako.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will make thy paths plain.
7 Usiwe mwenye hekima machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Bwana ukajiepushe na uovu.
Be not wise in thine 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 thy muscles, And moisture to thy bones.
9 Mheshimu Bwana kwa mali zako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao yako yote;
Honor the LORD with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thy increase;
10 ndipo ghala zako zitakapojaa hadi kufurika, viriba vyako vitafurika kwa mvinyo mpya.
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats overflow with new wine.
11 Mwanangu, usiidharau adhabu ya Bwana na usichukie kukaripiwa naye,
My son, despise not the correction of the LORD, Nor be impatient under his chastisement!
12 kwa sababu Bwana huwaadibisha wale awapendao, kama vile baba afanyavyo kwa mwana apendezwaye naye.
For whom the LORD loveth he chasteneth, Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 Heri mtu yule aonaye hekima, mtu yule apataye ufahamu,
Happy the man who findeth wisdom; Yea, the man who getteth understanding!
14 kwa maana hekima ana faida kuliko fedha na mapato yake ni bora kuliko ya dhahabu safi.
For the profit thereof is greater than that of silver, And the gain thereof than that of fine gold.
15 Hekima ana thamani kuliko marijani; hakuna chochote unachokitamani kinachoweza kulinganishwa naye.
More precious is she than pearls, And none of thy jewels is to be compared with 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; In her left hand are 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 of her, And happy is every one who hath her in his grasp.
19 Kwa hekima Bwana aliiweka misingi ya dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziweka mbingu mahali pake;
The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he framed the heavens.
20 kwa maarifa yake vilindi viligawanywa, nayo mawingu yanadondosha umande.
By his knowledge the deep waters were cleft, And the clouds drop down the dew.
21 Mwanangu, hifadhi maamuzi mema na busara, usiache vitoke machoni pako;
My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep sound wisdom and discretion!
22 ndipo vitakapokuwa uzima nafsini mwako na pambo la neema shingoni mwako.
For they shall be life to thy soul, And grace to thy neck.
23 Kisha utaenda katika njia yako salama, wala mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then shalt thou go on thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble;
24 ulalapo, hautaogopa; ulalapo usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid, Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Usiogope maafa ya ghafula au maangamizi yanayowapata waovu,
Be not thou afraid of sudden alarm, Nor of the storm that is for the wicked, when it cometh;
26 kwa kuwa Bwana atakuwa tumaini lako na kuepusha mguu wako kunaswa katika mtego.
For the LORD shall be thy confidence; Yea, he will keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Usizuie wema kwa wale wanaostahili ikiwa katika uwezo wako kutenda.
Withhold not kindness from those who need it, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
28 Usimwambie jirani yako, “Njoo baadaye, nitakupa kesho”: wakati wewe unacho kitu kile karibu nawe.
Say not to thy neighbor, “Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give to thee,” when thou hast it by thee.
29 Usifanye hila ya kumdhuru jirani yako, ambaye anaishi karibu na wewe akikuamini.
Devise not evil against thy neighbor, While he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Usimshtaki mtu bila sababu, wakati hajakutenda dhara lolote.
Contend not with a man without cause, When he hath done thee no harm.
31 Usimwonee wivu mtu mwenye jeuri wala kuchagua njia yake iwayo yote,
Envy 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 perverse man is the abomination of the LORD, But he is in friendship with 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 upon the house of the wicked, But he blesseth the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Huwadhihaki wale wanaodhihaki, lakini huwapa neema wale wanyenyekevu.
Surely the scorners he treadeth scornfully, But giveth favor to the lowly.
35 Wenye hekima hurithi heshima, bali huwaaibisha wapumbavu.
The wise shall obtain honor, But fools shall bear off shame.
