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 law.
3 Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
For I was my father's son, tender and only [beloved] 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 also, and said to me, Let thy heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep 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] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to 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 right paths.
12 Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; 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 by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; 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 just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more to 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 thy ear to my sayings.
21 Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
Let them not depart from thy 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 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 thy heart with all diligence; 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 thy eyes look right on, and let thy eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
Ponder 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.
