Mhubiri 12
1 Pia mkumbuke Muumba wako katika siku za za ujana, kabla ya siku za ugumu hazijaja, na kabla ya miaka haijafika utakapo sema, “Mimi sina furaha katika hizo,”
Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not:
2 fanya hivi kabla ya nuru ya jua na mwezi na nyota havijawa giza, na mawingu kurudi baada ya mvua.
Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:
3 Huo utakuwa wakati ambapo mlinzi wa ikulu atatetemeka, na wanaume imara wameinama, na wanawake wanao saga kukoma, kwa sababu ni wachache, na wale wanao chungulia dirishani hawaoni vizuri tena.
When the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall stagger, and the grinders shall be idle in a small number, and they that look through the holes shall be darkened:
4 Huo utakuwa wakati ambao milango imefungwa katika mtaa, na mlio wa kusanga kukoma, wakati wanaume watasitushwa kwa mlio wa ndege, na wimbo wa sauti ya wasichana kukoma.
And they shall shut the doors in the street, when the grinder’s voice shall be low, and they shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall grow deaf.
5 Utakuwa wakati ambapo watu wataogopa vilivyoinuka na hatari iliyoko barabarani, na wakati ambapo mlozi utachanua maua, na wakati panzi watakapokokotana wenyewe, na wakati ambapo hamu za asili zitakaposhindwa. Kisha mtu aenda katika nyumba yake ya milele na waombolezaji watelemka mitaani.
And they shall fear high things, and they shall be afraid in the way, the almond tree shall flourish, the locust shall be made fat, and the caper tree shall be destroyed: because man shall go into the house of his eternity, and the mourners shall go round about in the street.
6 Mkumbuke Muumba wako kabla ya kamba ya fedha kukatwa, au bakuli ya dhahabu kupasuka, au gudulia kuvunjwa kwenye chemuchemi, au torori la maji kuvunjika kisimani,
Before the silver cord be broken, and the golden fillet shrink back, and the pitcher be crushed at the fountain, and the wheel be broken upon the cistern,
7 kabla mavumbi kurudia mahali yalipotoka, na roho kurudi kwa Mungu aliyeitoa.
And the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God, who gave it.
8 Kama ukungu wa mvuke,” asema mwalimu, kila kitu ni mvuke upoteao.
Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all things are vanity.
9 Mwalimu alikuwa na hekima na aliwafundisha watu maarifa. Alisoma na kuazimu na kutunga mithali nyingi katika mpangilio.
And whereas Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and declared the things that he had done: and seeking out, he set forth many parables.
10 Mwalimu alitafuta kuandika kwa kutumia vithibitisho dhahiri, maneno ya kweli yaliyo wima.
He sought profitable words, and wrote words most right, and full of truth.
11 Maneno ya watu wenye hekima ni kama mchokoo. Kama misumari ilivyogongomewa kwa undani, ndivyo yalivyo maneno ya mabwana katika mkusanyiko wa mithali zao, ambayo yamefundishwa na mchungaji mmoja.
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails deeply fastened in, which by the counsel of masters are given from one shepherd.
12 Mwanangu kuwa makini na kitu zaidi, utengezaji wa vitabu vingi, ambacho hakina mwisho, na kusoma kwingi huleta uchovu mwilini.
More than these, my son, require not. Of making many books there is no end: and much study is an affliction of the flesh.
13 Mwisho wa jambo baada ya kila kitu umesikika, ni kwamba ni lazima umche Mungu na kushika amri zake, kwa kuwa huu ndilo jukumu lote la mwanadamu.
Let us all hear together the conclusion of the discourse. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is all man:
14 Kwa kuwa Mungu ataleta kila tendo hukumuni, pamoja na kila kitu kilichofichika, kizuri au kibaya.
And all things that are done, God will bring into judgment for every error, whether it be good or evil.
