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,”
Also call to mind your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of difficulty come, and before the years arrive when you 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.
do this before the light of the sun and the moon and the stars grows dark, and dark 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.
That will be the time when the palace guards will tremble, and strong men are bent over, and the women who grind cease because they are few, and those who look out of windows no longer see clearly.
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.
That will be the time when the doors are shut in the street, and the sound of grinding stops, when men are startled at the voice of a bird, and the singing of girls' voices fades away.
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.
That will be the time when men become afraid of heights and of dangers along on the road, and when the almond tree blossoms, and when grasshoppers drag themselves along, and when natural desires fail. Then man goes to his eternal home and the mourners go down 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,
Call to mind your Creator before the silver cord is cut, or the golden bowl is crushed, or the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the water wheel is broken at the well,
7 kabla mavumbi kurudia mahali yalipotoka, na roho kurudi kwa Mungu aliyeitoa.
before the dust returns to the earth where it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 Kama ukungu wa mvuke,” asema mwalimu, kila kitu ni mvuke upoteao.
“A mist of vapor,” says the Teacher, “everything is vanishing vapor.”
9 Mwalimu alikuwa na hekima na aliwafundisha watu maarifa. Alisoma na kuazimu na kutunga mithali nyingi katika mpangilio.
The Teacher was wise and he taught the people knowledge. He studied and contemplated and set in order many proverbs.
10 Mwalimu alitafuta kuandika kwa kutumia vithibitisho dhahiri, maneno ya kweli yaliyo wima.
The Teacher sought to write using vivid, upright 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 wise people are like goads. Like nails driven deeply are the words of the masters in collections of their proverbs, which are taught by one shepherd.
12 Mwanangu kuwa makini na kitu zaidi, utengezaji wa vitabu vingi, ambacho hakina mwisho, na kusoma kwingi huleta uchovu mwilini.
My son, be aware of something more: the making of many books, which has no end and much study brings weariness to the body.
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.
The end of the matter after everything has been heard, is that you must fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind.
14 Kwa kuwa Mungu ataleta kila tendo hukumuni, pamoja na kila kitu kilichofichika, kizuri au kibaya.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
