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, also, thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, of which thou shalt say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
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 become dark, 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.
at the time when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows are 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.
when the doors are shut in the streets, while the sound of the mill is low; when they rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music are brought low;
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.
when also they are afraid of that which is high, and terrors are in the way, and the almond is despised, and the locust is a burden, and the caper-berry is powerless; since man goeth to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets; —
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 snapped asunder, and the golden bowl be crushed, or the bucket broken at the fountain, or the wheel shattered at the well,
7 kabla mavumbi kurudia mahali yalipotoka, na roho kurudi kwa Mungu aliyeitoa.
and the dust return to the earth as 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, saith the Preacher; all is vanity!
9 Mwalimu alikuwa na hekima na aliwafundisha watu maarifa. Alisoma na kuazimu na kutunga mithali nyingi katika mpangilio.
Moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he considered, and sought out, and set in order, many proverbs.
10 Mwalimu alitafuta kuandika kwa kutumia vithibitisho dhahiri, maneno ya kweli yaliyo wima.
The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and to write correctly words 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; yea, as nails driven in are the words of members of assemblies, given by one shepherd.
12 Mwanangu kuwa makini na kitu zaidi, utengezaji wa vitabu vingi, ambacho hakina mwisho, na kusoma kwingi huleta uchovu mwilini.
And, moreover, by these, my son, be warned! To the multiplying of books there is no end, and much study wearieth 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 hear the end of the whole discourse! Fear God and keep his commandments! For this is the duty of every man.
14 Kwa kuwa Mungu ataleta kila tendo hukumuni, pamoja na kila kitu kilichofichika, kizuri au kibaya.
For God will bring every work into the judgment which there is upon every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
