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 good doctrine; forsake ye not my teaching.
3 Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one 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 unto me: 'Let thy heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments, and live;
5 Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
Get wisdom, get understanding; forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;
6 Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
Forsake her not, 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.
The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom; yea, with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
Extol her, and she will exalt thee; she will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow on 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 goest, thy step shall not be straitened; and if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
Take fast hold of instruction, let her not 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, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass on.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they sleep not, except they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some 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 light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto 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 unto 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 unto 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.
Above all that thou guardest keep thy heart; 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 froward mouth, and perverse lips put 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 plain the path of thy feet, 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.
