Mithali 4
1 Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
Give ear, my sons, to the teaching of a father; give attention so that you may have knowledge:
2 Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
For I give you good teaching; do not give up the knowledge you are getting from me.
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, a gentle and an only one to my mother.
4 baba alinifundisha akisema, “Yashike maneno yangu yote kwa moyo wako wote; yashike maagizo yangu na wewe utaishi.
And he gave me teaching, saying to me, Keep my words in your heart; keep my rules so that you may have life:
5 Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
Get wisdom, get true knowledge; keep it in memory, do not be turned away from the words of my mouth.
6 Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
Do not give her up, and she will keep you; give her your love, and she will make you safe.
7 Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
The first sign of wisdom is to get wisdom; go, give all you have to get true knowledge.
8 Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
Put her in a high place, and you will be lifted up by her; she will give you honour, when you give her your love.
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
She will put a crown of grace on your head, giving you a head-dress of glory.
10 Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
Give ear, O my son, and let your heart be open to my sayings; and long life will be yours.
11 Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
I have given you teaching in the way of wisdom, guiding your steps in the straight way.
12 Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
When you go, your way will not be narrow, and in running you will not have a fall.
13 Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
Take learning in your hands, do not let her go: keep her, for she is your life.
14 Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
Do not go in the road of sinners, or be walking in the way of evil men.
15 Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
Keep far from it, do not go near; be turned from it, and go on your way.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they take no rest till they have done evil; their sleep is taken away if they have not been the cause of someone's fall.
17 Wanakula mkate wa uovu, na kunywa mvinyo wa jeuri.
The bread of evil-doing is their food, the wine of violent acts their drink.
18 Njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ya kwanza ya mapambazuko, ambayo hungʼaa zaidi na zaidi mpaka mchana mkamilifu.
But the way of the upright is like the light of early morning, getting brighter and brighter till the full day.
19 Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
The way of sinners is dark; they see not the cause of their fall.
20 Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
My son, give attention to my words; let your ear be turned to my sayings.
21 Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
Let them not go from your eyes; keep them deep in your heart.
22 kwa sababu ni uzima kwa wale wanaoyapata na afya kwa mwili wote wa mwanadamu.
For they are life to him who gets them, and strength to all his flesh.
23 Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
And keep watch over your heart with all care; so you will have life.
24 Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
Put away from you an evil tongue, and let false lips be far from you.
25 Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
Keep your eyes on what is in front of you, looking straight before you.
26 Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
Keep a watch on your behaviour; let all your ways be rightly ordered.
27 Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
Let there be no turning to the right or to the left, keep your feet from evil.
