Mithali 4
1 Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
For I give you good doctrine. Forsake ye not my law.
3 Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
For I was a son to my father, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 baba alinifundisha akisema, “Yashike maneno yangu yote kwa moyo wako wote; yashike maagizo yangu na wewe utaishi.
And he taught me, and said to me, Let thy heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
5 Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
Get wisdom, get understanding. Do not forget, nor decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve thee. Love her, and she will keep thee.
7 Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
Wisdom is the principal thing. Get wisdom, yea, with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
Exalt her, and she will promote thee. She will bring thee to honor when thou embrace her.
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
She will give to thy head a garland of grace, a crown of beauty she will deliver to thee.
10 Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom. I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
12 Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
When thou go, thy steps shall not be restricted. And if thou run, thou shall not stumble.
13 Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, for she is thy life.
14 Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and walk not in the way of evil men.
15 Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
Avoid it. Do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they do not sleep unless they do evil. And their sleep is taken away unless they cause to fall.
17 Wanakula mkate wa uovu, na kunywa mvinyo wa jeuri.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 Njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ya kwanza ya mapambazuko, ambayo hungʼaa zaidi na zaidi mpaka mchana mkamilifu.
But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.
19 Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
The way of the wicked is as darkness. They know not at what they stumble.
20 Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
My son, attend to my words. Incline thine ear to my sayings.
21 Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
Let them not depart from thine eyes. Keep them in the midst of thy heart.
22 kwa sababu ni uzima kwa wale wanaoyapata na afya kwa mwili wote wa mwanadamu.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
Put away from thee a wayward mouth, and put perverse lips far from thee.
25 Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
Make the path of thy feet level, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left. Remove thy foot from evil.
