Mithali 8
1 Je, hekima haitani? Je, ufahamu hapazi sauti?
Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice?
2 Juu ya miinuko karibu na njia, penye njia panda, ndipo asimamapo;
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3 kando ya malango yaelekeayo mjini, kwenye maingilio, hulia kwa sauti kubwa, akisema:
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
4 “Ni ninyi wanaume, ninaowaita; ninapaza sauti yangu kwa wanadamu wote.
"To you men, I call. I send my voice to the sons of humankind.
5 Ninyi ambao ni wajinga, pateni akili; ninyi mlio wapumbavu, pateni ufahamu.
You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.
6 Sikilizeni, kwa maana nina mambo muhimu ya kusema; ninafungua midomo yangu kusema lililo sawa.
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
7 Kinywa changu husema lililo kweli, kwa maana midomo yangu huchukia uovu.
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 Maneno yote ya kinywa changu ni haki; hakuna mojawapo lililopotoka wala ukaidi.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9 Kwa wenye kupambanua yote ni sahihi; hayana kasoro kwa wale wenye maarifa.
They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
10 Chagua mafundisho yangu badala ya fedha, maarifa badala ya dhahabu safi,
Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 kwa maana hekima ina thamani kuliko marijani na hakuna chochote unachohitaji kinacholingana naye.
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.
12 “Mimi hekima, nakaa pamoja na busara; ninamiliki maarifa na busara.
"I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
13 Kumcha Bwana ni kuchukia uovu; ninachukia kiburi na majivuno, tabia mbaya na mazungumzo potovu.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
14 Ushauri na hukumu sahihi ni vyangu; nina ufahamu na nina nguvu.
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
15 Kwa msaada wangu wafalme hutawala na watawala hutunga sheria zilizo za haki,
By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.
16 kwa msaada wangu wakuu hutawala, na wenye vyeo wote watawalao dunia.
By me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
17 Nawapenda wale wanipendao, na wale wanitafutao kwa bidii wataniona.
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 Utajiri na heshima viko kwangu, utajiri udumuo na mafanikio.
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
19 Tunda langu ni bora kuliko dhahabu safi; kile nitoacho hupita fedha iliyo bora.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver.
20 Natembea katika njia ya unyofu katika mapito ya haki,
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;
21 nawapa utajiri wale wanipendao na kuzijaza hazina zao.
That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
22 “Bwana aliniumba mwanzoni mwa kazi yake, kabla ya matendo yake ya zamani;
"The LORD created me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 niliteuliwa tangu milele, tangu mwanzoni, kabla ya dunia kuumbwa.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
24 Wakati hazijakuwepo bahari, nilikwishazaliwa, wakati hazijakuwepo chemchemi zilizojaa maji;
When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 kabla milima haijawekwa mahali pake, kabla vilima havijakuwepo, nilikwishazaliwa,
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 kabla hajaumba dunia wala mashamba yake au vumbi lolote la dunia.
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27 Nilikuwepo alipoziweka mbingu mahali pake, wakati alichora mstari wa upeo wa macho juu ya uso wa kilindi,
When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
28 wakati aliweka mawingu juu na kuziweka imara chemchemi za bahari,
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
29 wakati aliiwekea bahari mpaka wake ili maji yasivunje agizo lake, na wakati aliweka misingi ya dunia.
when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;
30 Wakati huo nilikuwa fundi stadi kando yake. Nilijazwa na furaha siku baada ya siku, nikifurahi daima mbele zake,
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
31 nikifurahi katika dunia yake yote nami nikiwafurahia wanadamu.
Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
32 “Basi sasa wanangu, nisikilizeni; heri wale wanaozishika njia zangu.
"Now therefore, son, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Sikilizeni mafundisho yangu mwe na hekima; msiyapuuze.
Hear instruction, and be wise. Do not refuse it.
34 Heri mtu yule anisikilizaye mimi, akisubiri siku zote malangoni mwangu, akingoja kwenye vizingiti vya mlango wangu.
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
35 Kwa maana yeyote anipataye mimi amepata uzima na kujipatia kibali kutoka kwa Bwana.
For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
36 Lakini yeyote ashindwaye kunipata hujiumiza mwenyewe; na wote wanichukiao mimi hupenda mauti.”
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death."
