Mithali 4
1 Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
Hear, you 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 you 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 your 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 you: love it, and it shall keep you.
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 you: honour it, that it may embrace you;
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
that it may give to your head a crown of graces, and may cover you 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 your life shall be increased, that the resources of your life may be many.
11 Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
For I teach you the ways of wisdom; and I cause you to go in right paths.
12 Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
For when you go, your steps shall not be straitened; and when you run, you shall 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 yourself for your 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 there; but turn from them, and pass away.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they can’t 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 your ear to my words:
21 Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
that your fountains may not fail you; keep them in [your] 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 your 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 you a froward mouth, and put far away from you unjust lips.
25 Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids assent [to] just [things].
26 Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
Make straight paths for your feet, and order your 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 your foot from an evil way.
