Mithali 4
1 Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.
2 Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
For I have given to you good learning, do not forsake my law.
3 Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
For I have been a son to my father—tender, And an only one before my mother.
4 baba alinifundisha akisema, “Yashike maneno yangu yote kwa moyo wako wote; yashike maagizo yangu na wewe utaishi.
And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live.
5 Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth.
6 Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, Love her, and she keeps you.
7 Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
The first thing [is] wisdom—get wisdom, And with all your getting get understanding.
8 Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
Exalt her and she lifts you up, She honors you when you embrace her.
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
She gives a wreath of grace to your head, She gives you a crown of beauty freely.”
10 Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life [are] multiplied to you.
11 Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
I have directed you in a way of wisdom, I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.
12 Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
In your walking your step is not restricted, And if you run, you do not stumble.
13 Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she [is] your life.
14 Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
Do not enter into the path of the wicked, And do not be blessed in a way of evildoers.
15 Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
Avoid it, do not pass over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they do not sleep if they do no evil, And their sleep has been taken away violently, If they do not cause [some] to stumble.
17 Wanakula mkate wa uovu, na kunywa mvinyo wa jeuri.
For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And they drink wine of violence.
18 Njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ya kwanza ya mapambazuko, ambayo hungʼaa zaidi na zaidi mpaka mchana mkamilifu.
And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, Going and brightening until the day is established,
19 Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
20 Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
My son, give attention to my words, Incline your ear to my sayings,
21 Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, Preserve them in the midst of your heart.
22 kwa sababu ni uzima kwa wale wanaoyapata na afya kwa mwili wote wa mwanadamu.
For they [are] life to those finding them, And healing to all their flesh.
23 Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
Above every charge keep your heart, For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.
24 Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
Turn aside a contrary mouth from you, And put perverse lips far from you,
25 Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
Your eyes look straightforward, And your eyelids look straight before you.
26 Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
Ponder the path of your feet, And all your ways [are] established.
27 Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
Do not incline [to] the right or to the left, Turn aside your foot from evil!
