Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usisahau mafundisho yangu, bali zitunze amri zangu moyoni mwako,
My son, don’t 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 to you length of days, years of life, and peace.
3 Usiache kamwe upendo na uaminifu vitengane nawe; vifunge shingoni mwako, viandike katika ubao wa moyo wako.
Don’t let kindness and truth forsake 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.
So you will find favour, 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 don’t lean 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.
Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 Hii itakuletea afya mwilini mwako, na mafuta kwenye mifupa yako.
It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
9 Mheshimu Bwana kwa mali zako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao yako yote;
Honour the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase;
10 ndipo ghala zako zitakapojaa hadi kufurika, viriba vyako vitafurika kwa mvinyo mpya.
so 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, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, 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 reproves the son in whom he delights.
13 Heri mtu yule aonaye hekima, mtu yule apataye ufahamu,
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
14 kwa maana hekima ana faida kuliko fedha na mapato yake ni bora kuliko ya dhahabu safi.
For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
15 Hekima ana thamani kuliko marijani; hakuna chochote unachokitamani kinachoweza kulinganishwa naye.
She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are 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. In her left hand are riches and honour.
17 Njia zake zinapendeza, mapito yake yote ni amani.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
18 Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomkumbatia; wale wamshikao watabarikiwa.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
19 Kwa hekima Bwana aliiweka misingi ya dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziweka mbingu mahali pake;
By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
20 kwa maarifa yake vilindi viligawanywa, nayo mawingu yanadondosha umande.
By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
21 Mwanangu, hifadhi maamuzi mema na busara, usiache vitoke machoni pako;
My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 ndipo vitakapokuwa uzima nafsini mwako na pambo la neema shingoni mwako.
so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.
23 Kisha utaenda katika njia yako salama, wala mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.
24 ulalapo, hautaogopa; ulalapo usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Usiogope maafa ya ghafula au maangamizi yanayowapata waovu,
Don’t be 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 will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.
27 Usizuie wema kwa wale wanaostahili ikiwa katika uwezo wako kutenda.
Don’t withhold good from those 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.
Don’t say to your neighbour, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.
29 Usifanye hila ya kumdhuru jirani yako, ambaye anaishi karibu na wewe akikuamini.
Don’t devise evil against your neighbour, since he dwells securely by you.
30 Usimshtaki mtu bila sababu, wakati hajakutenda dhara lolote.
Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.
31 Usimwonee wivu mtu mwenye jeuri wala kuchagua njia yake iwayo yote,
Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
32 kwa kuwa Bwana humchukia mtu mpotovu, lakini siri yake iko kwa mwenye haki.
For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.
33 Laana ya Bwana i juu ya nyumba ya mwovu, lakini yeye huibariki nyumba ya mwenye haki.
The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
34 Huwadhihaki wale wanaodhihaki, lakini huwapa neema wale wanyenyekevu.
Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.
35 Wenye hekima hurithi heshima, bali huwaaibisha wapumbavu.
The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.
