Mithali 1
1 Mithali za Solomoni mwana wa Daudi, mfalme wa Israeli:
The parables of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel,
2 Kwa kupata hekima na nidhamu; kwa kufahamu maneno ya busara;
in order to know wisdom and discipline,
3 kwa kujipatia nidhamu na busara, kufanya lililo sawa, haki na bila kupendelea;
to understand words of prudence, and to accept the instruction of doctrine, justice and judgment, and equity,
4 huwapa busara wajinga, maarifa na akili kwa vijana;
so as to give discernment to little ones, knowledge and understanding to adolescents.
5 wenye hekima na wasikilize nao waongeze elimu yao, wenye kupambanua na wapate mwongozo;
By listening, the wise shall become wiser and the intelligent shall possess governments.
6 kwa kufahamu mithali na mifano, misemo na vitendawili vya wenye hekima.
He shall turn his soul to a parable and to its interpretation, to the words of the wise and their enigmas.
7 Kumcha Bwana ndicho chanzo cha maarifa, lakini wapumbavu hudharau hekima na adabu.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The foolish despise wisdom as well as doctrine.
8 Mwanangu, sikiliza mwongozo wa baba yako, wala usiyaache mafundisho ya mama yako.
Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother,
9 Hayo yatakuwa taji la maua la neema kichwani pako, na mkufu wa kuipamba shingo yako.
so that grace may be added to your head and a collar to your neck.
10 Mwanangu, kama wenye dhambi wakikushawishi, usikubaliane nao.
My son, if sinners should entice you, do not consent to them.
11 Kama wakisema, “Twende tufuatane; tukamvizie mtu na kumwaga damu, njoo tukavizie nafsi isiyo na hatia;
If they should say: “Come with us. We will lie in wait for blood. We will lay traps against the innocent, without cause.
Let us swallow him alive, like Hell, and whole, like one descending into the pit. (Sheol h7585)
13 Tutapata aina zote za vitu vya thamani na kujaza nyumba zetu kwa nyara.
We will discover every precious substance. We will fill our houses with spoils.
14 Njoo ushirikiane nasi, vitu vyote tutakavyopata tutagawana.”
Cast your lot with us. One purse will be for us all.”
15 Mwanangu, usiandamane nao. Usiweke mguu wako katika njia zao,
My son, do not walk with them. Preclude your feet from their paths.
16 kwa kuwa miguu yao hukimbilia kwenye dhambi, ni wepesi kumwaga damu.
For their feet rush to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.
17 Tazama ni jinsi gani ilivyo kazi bure kutandaza wavu wakati ndege wote wanakuona!
But a net is thrown in vain before the eyes of those who have wings.
18 Watu hawa huvizia kumwaga damu yao wenyewe; hujivizia tu wenyewe!
Likewise, they lie in ambush against their own blood, and they undertake deceits against their own souls.
19 Huu ndio mwisho wa wote ambao wanajipatia mali kwa hila; huuondoa uhai wa wale wenye mali.
Thus, the ways of all those who are greedy seize the souls of those who possess.
20 Hekima huita kwa sauti kuu barabarani, hupaza sauti yake kwenye viwanja vikubwa;
Wisdom forewarns far and wide; she bestows her voice in the streets.
21 kwenye makutano ya barabara za mji zenye makelele mengi hupaza sauti, kwenye malango ya mji hutoa hotuba yake:
She cries out at the head of crowds; at the entrance of the gates of the city, she offers her words, saying:
22 “Enyi wajinga, mtangʼangʼania ujinga wenu hadi lini? Mpaka lini wenye mizaha watafurahia mizaha, na wapumbavu kuchukia maarifa?
“Little ones, how long will you choose to be childish, and how long will the foolish desire what is harmful to themselves, and how long will the imprudent hate knowledge?
23 Kama mngekuwa mmeitikia karipio langu, ningekuwa nimemimina roho yangu kwenu na kuwafahamisha maneno yangu.
Be converted by my correction. Lo, I will offer my spirit to you, and I will reveal my words to you.
24 Lakini kwa kuwa mlinikataa nilipowaita na hakuna yeyote aliyekubali niliponyoosha mkono wangu,
For I called, and you refused. I extended my hand, and there was no one who watched.
25 kwa kuwa mliyapuuza mashauri yangu yote na hamkukubali karipio langu,
You have despised all my counsels, and you have neglected my rebukes.
26 mimi nami nitawacheka katika maafa yenu, nitawadhihaki wakati janga litawapata:
Similarly, I will ridicule you at your demise, and I will mock you, when that which you feared shall overcome you.
27 wakati janga litawapata kama tufani, wakati maafa yatawazoa kama upepo wa kisulisuli, wakati dhiki na taabu zitawalemea.
When sudden calamity rushes upon you, and your demise advances like a tempest, when tribulation and anguish overcome you,
28 “Ndipo watakaponiita lakini sitawajibu; watanitafuta lakini hawatanipata.
then they will call to me, and I will not heed, they will arise in the morning, and not find me.
29 Kwa kuwa walichukia maarifa, wala hawakuchagua kumcha Bwana,
For they held hatred for discipline, and they would not accept the fear of the Lord;
30 kwa kuwa hawakukubali mashauri yangu, na kukataa maonyo yangu,
they would not consent to my counsel, but they detracted from all of my corrections.
31 watakula matunda ya njia zao, na watashibishwa matunda ya hila zao.
Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way, and they shall have their fill of their own counsels.
32 Kwa kuwa ukaidi wa wajinga utawaua, nako kuridhika kwa wajinga kutawaangamiza.
The loathing of the little ones shall destroy them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall perish them.
33 Lakini yeyote anisikilizaye ataishi kwa usalama, atatulia, bila kuwa na hofu ya madhara.”
But whoever will listen to me shall rest without terror, and shall have full enjoyment of abundance, without fear of evils.”
