Mithali 4
1 Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
For I give you a good gift; forsake ye not my law.
3 Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
For I also was a son obedient to [my] father, and loved in the sight of [my] mother:
4 baba alinifundisha akisema, “Yashike maneno yangu yote kwa moyo wako wote; yashike maagizo yangu na wewe utaishi.
who spoke and instructed me, [saying], Let our speech be fixed in thine heart, keep [our] commandments, forget them not:
5 Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
and do not neglect the speech of my mouth.
6 Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
And forsake it not, and it shall cleave to thee: love it, and it shall keep thee.
7 Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
8 Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
Secure it, and it shall exalt thee: honour it, that it may embrace thee;
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
that it may give unto thy head a crown of graces, and may cover thee with a crown of delight.
10 Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
Hear, [my] son, and receive my words; and the years of thy life shall be increased, that the resources of thy life may be many.
11 Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
For I teach thee the ways of wisdom; and I cause thee to go in right paths.
12 Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
For when thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not be distressed.
13 Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
Take hold of my instruction; let it not go, —but keep it for thyself for thy life.
14 Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
Go not in the ways of the ungodly, neither covet the ways of transgressors.
15 Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
In whatever place they shall pitch their camp, go not thither; but turn from them, and pass away.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they cannot sleep, unless they have done evil: their sleep is taken away, and they rest not.
17 Wanakula mkate wa uovu, na kunywa mvinyo wa jeuri.
For these live upon the bread of ungodliness, and are drunken with wine of transgression.
18 Njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ya kwanza ya mapambazuko, ambayo hungʼaa zaidi na zaidi mpaka mchana mkamilifu.
But the ways of the righteous shine like light; they go on and shine, until the day be fully come.
19 Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
But the ways of the ungodly are dark; they know not how they stumble.
20 Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
[My] son, attend to my speech; and apply thine ear to my words:
21 Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
that thy fountains may not fail thee; keep them in [thine] heart.
22 kwa sababu ni uzima kwa wale wanaoyapata na afya kwa mwili wote wa mwanadamu.
For they are life to those that 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 thine heart with the utmost care; for out of these are the issues of life.
24 Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
Remove from thee a froward mouth, and put far away from thee unjust lips.
25 Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids assent [to] just [things].
26 Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
Make straight paths for thy feet, and order thy ways aright.
27 Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
Turn not aside to the right hand nor to the left, but turn away thy foot from an evil way.
