Mithali 4
1 Sikilizeni wanangu, mafundisho ya baba yenu; sikilizeni kwa makini na mpate ufahamu.
Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
2 Ninawapa mafundisho ya maana, kwa hiyo msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.
3 Nilipokuwa mvulana mdogo katika nyumba ya baba yangu, ningali mchanga na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
For I was a son to my father, tender and an 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 your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
5 Pata hekima, pata ufahamu; usiyasahau maneno yangu wala usiyaache.
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.
6 Usimwache hekima naye atakuweka salama; mpende, naye atakulinda.
Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Hekima ni bora kuliko vitu vyote; kwa hiyo jipe hekima. Hata ikikugharimu vyote ulivyo navyo, pata ufahamu.
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
8 Mstahi, naye atakukweza; mkumbatie, naye atakuheshimu.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honour when you embrace her.
9 Atakuvika shada la neema kichwani mwako na kukupa taji ya utukufu.”
She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendour to you.”
10 Sikiliza mwanangu, kubali ninachokuambia, nayo miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
11 Ninakuongoza katika njia ya hekima na kukuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
12 Utembeapo, hatua zako hazitazuiliwa; ukimbiapo, hutajikwaa.
When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
13 Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
14 Usiuweke mguu wako katika njia ya waovu wala usitembee katika njia ya watu wabaya.
Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
15 Epukana nayo, usisafiri katika njia hiyo; achana nayo, na uelekee njia yako.
Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
16 Kwa kuwa hawawezi kulala mpaka watende uovu; wanashindwa hata kusinzia mpaka wamwangushe mtu.
For they don’t sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone 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 like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day.
19 Lakini njia ya waovu ni kama giza nene; hawajui kinachowafanya wajikwae.
The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
20 Mwanangu, yasikilize kwa makini yale ninayokuambia; sikiliza kwa makini maneno yangu.
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
21 Usiruhusu yaondoke machoni pako, yahifadhi ndani ya moyo wako;
Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the centre of your 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 their whole body.
23 Zaidi ya yote, linda moyo wako, kuliko yote uyalindayo, maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
24 Epusha kinywa chako na ukaidi; weka mazungumzo machafu mbali na midomo yako.
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
25 Macho yako na yatazame mbele, kaza macho yako moja kwa moja mbele yako.
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Sawazisha mapito ya miguu yako na njia zako zote ziwe zimethibitika.
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
27 Usigeuke kulia wala kushoto; epusha mguu wako na ubaya.
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
