Mithali 1
1 Mithali za Solomoni mwana wa Daudi, mfalme wa Israeli:
The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 Kwa kupata hekima na nidhamu; kwa kufahamu maneno ya busara;
to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
3 kwa kujipatia nidhamu na busara, kufanya lililo sawa, haki na bila kupendelea;
to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 huwapa busara wajinga, maarifa na akili kwa vijana;
to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—
5 wenye hekima na wasikilize nao waongeze elimu yao, wenye kupambanua na wapate mwongozo;
that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
6 kwa kufahamu mithali na mifano, misemo na vitendawili vya wenye hekima.
to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
7 Kumcha Bwana ndicho chanzo cha maarifa, lakini wapumbavu hudharau hekima na adabu.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Mwanangu, sikiliza mwongozo wa baba yako, wala usiyaache mafundisho ya mama yako.
My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
9 Hayo yatakuwa taji la maua la neema kichwani pako, na mkufu wa kuipamba shingo yako.
for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.
10 Mwanangu, kama wenye dhambi wakikushawishi, usikubaliane nao.
My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.
11 Kama wakisema, “Twende tufuatane; tukamvizie mtu na kumwaga damu, njoo tukavizie nafsi isiyo na hatia;
If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. (Sheol h7585)
13 Tutapata aina zote za vitu vya thamani na kujaza nyumba zetu kwa nyara.
We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.
14 Njoo ushirikiane nasi, vitu vyote tutakavyopata tutagawana.”
You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—
15 Mwanangu, usiandamane nao. Usiweke mguu wako katika njia zao,
my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,
16 kwa kuwa miguu yao hukimbilia kwenye dhambi, ni wepesi kumwaga damu.
for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
17 Tazama ni jinsi gani ilivyo kazi bure kutandaza wavu wakati ndege wote wanakuona!
For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
18 Watu hawa huvizia kumwaga damu yao wenyewe; hujivizia tu wenyewe!
but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 Huu ndio mwisho wa wote ambao wanajipatia mali kwa hila; huuondoa uhai wa wale wenye mali.
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
20 Hekima huita kwa sauti kuu barabarani, hupaza sauti yake kwenye viwanja vikubwa;
Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
21 kwenye makutano ya barabara za mji zenye makelele mengi hupaza sauti, kwenye malango ya mji hutoa hotuba yake:
She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
22 “Enyi wajinga, mtangʼangʼania ujinga wenu hadi lini? Mpaka lini wenye mizaha watafurahia mizaha, na wapumbavu kuchukia maarifa?
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Kama mngekuwa mmeitikia karipio langu, ningekuwa nimemimina roho yangu kwenu na kuwafahamisha maneno yangu.
Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
24 Lakini kwa kuwa mlinikataa nilipowaita na hakuna yeyote aliyekubali niliponyoosha mkono wangu,
Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
25 kwa kuwa mliyapuuza mashauri yangu yote na hamkukubali karipio langu,
but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
26 mimi nami nitawacheka katika maafa yenu, nitawadhihaki wakati janga litawapata:
I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
27 wakati janga litawapata kama tufani, wakati maafa yatawazoa kama upepo wa kisulisuli, wakati dhiki na taabu zitawalemea.
when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.
28 “Ndipo watakaponiita lakini sitawajibu; watanitafuta lakini hawatanipata.
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,
29 Kwa kuwa walichukia maarifa, wala hawakuchagua kumcha Bwana,
because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of the LORD.
30 kwa kuwa hawakukubali mashauri yangu, na kukataa maonyo yangu,
They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
31 watakula matunda ya njia zao, na watashibishwa matunda ya hila zao.
Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
32 Kwa kuwa ukaidi wa wajinga utawaua, nako kuridhika kwa wajinga kutawaangamiza.
For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
33 Lakini yeyote anisikilizaye ataishi kwa usalama, atatulia, bila kuwa na hofu ya madhara.”
But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
