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, that ye may learn understanding!
2 Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
For I give you good instruction; Forsake ye not my commandments.
3 Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
For I was my father's son, A tender and only child in the sight of my mother.
4 baba alinifundisha akisema, “Yashike maneno yangu yote kwa moyo wako wote; yashike maagizo yangu na wewe utaishi.
He taught me, and said to 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, and depart not from, the words of my mouth.
6 Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
Forsake her not, and she will guard thee: Love her, and she will preserve thee.
7 Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore gain wisdom, And with all thy gain, gain understanding.
8 Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her;
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
She will give to thy head a graceful wreath, A beautiful crown will she bestow upon thee.
10 Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
Hear, O my son! and receive my sayings! So shall the years of thy life be many.
11 Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
I have taught thee the way of wisdom, I have guided thee in the right path.
12 Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be confined; And, when 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 go not in the way of evil men;
15 Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
Avoid it, pass not upon it, Turn from it, and go away.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they sleep not, unless they have done mischief; Yea, their sleep is taken away, unless they have caused 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, Which groweth brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
19 Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
The way of the wicked is as thick 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 to 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 to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
23 Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
More than any thing which thou watchest, watch thy heart; For from it goeth forth life.
24 Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
Put away from thee a deceitful mouth, And remove far from thee perverse lips.
25 Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
Let thine eyes look straight forward, And thine eyelids be directed before thee.
26 Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
Give heed to the path of thy foot, And let all thy ways be steadfast.
27 Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
Turn not to the right hand or to the left; Remove thy foot from evil.
