Mithali 1
1 Mithali za Sulemani mwana wa Daudi, mfalme wa Israeli.
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.
2 Mithali hizi zinafundisha hekima na maarifa, kufundisha maneno ya busara,
They are for achieving wisdom and instruction, and to recognize sayings that bring insight.
3 ili mpate maarifa kwa ajili ya kuishi kwa kutenda wema, haki na adili.
They provide education in what makes sense, living right, judging correctly, and acting fairly.
4 Mithali hizi zinatoa hekima kwa wale ambao hawakufunzwa, na kuwapa vijana maarifa na hadhari.
They give discernment to the immature, knowledge and discretion to the young.
5 Watu wenye busara wasikie na kuongeza elimu yao na watu wenye ufahamu wapate mwongozo,
Wise people will listen and gain in learning, and those who have good judgment will gain skills in guidance,
6 kwa kuelewa mithali, misemo, vitendawili na maneno ya wenye busara.
understanding the proverbs and puzzles, the sayings and questions of the wise.
7 Hofu ya Yehova ni chanzo cha maarifa- wapumbavu hudharau hekima na nidhamu.
Honoring the Lord is where true knowledge begins, but fools treat wisdom and good advice with contempt.
8 Mwanangu, sikia fundisho la baba yako na wala usiziache kanuni za mama yako;
My son, pay attention to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching.
9 zitakuwa kilemba cha neema katika kichwa chako na jebu zinazoning'inia kwenye shingo yako.
They are a wreath of grace to decorate your head; they are pendants for your neck.
10 Mwanangu wenye dhambi wakikushawishi katika dhambi zao, kataa kuwafuata.
My son, if evil people try to tempt you, don't give into them.
11 Kama watasema, “haya tufuatae, tuvizie ili kufanya mauaji, tujifiche ili tuwashambulie watu wasio na hatia, pasipo sababu.
They may tell you, “Come with us. Let's go and hide, ready to kill someone. Let's ambush someone for fun!
12 Haya tuwameza wakiwa hai, kama kuzimu inavyowachukua wenye afya, na kuwa kama wale waangukao kwenye shimoni. (Sheol h7585)
Let's bury them alive; let's put them in the grave while they're still healthy! (Sheol h7585)
13 Tutapata vitu vyote vya thamani; tutazijaza nyumba zetu vile tunavyoiba kwa wengine.
We'll take from them all kinds of valuable things and fill our homes with the stuff we steal!
14 Weka vitu vyako kwetu; tutakuwa na mfuko moja kwa pamoja.”
Come and join us and we'll all share what we get!”
15 Mwanangu, usitembee katika njia moja pamoja nao; usiruhusu mguu wako kugusa katika mapito yao;
My son, don't follow their ways. Don't go in that direction with them.
16 miguu ya hukimbilia mabaya na huharakisha kumwaga damu.
For they rush to do evil; they hurry to commit violence and murder.
17 Kwa kuwa haina maana kumtegea ndege mtego wakati ndege anaona.
There's no point in trying to lure birds into a net when they can see it.
18 Watu hawa huvizia kujiua wenyewe—wanatega mtego kwa ajili yao wenyewe.
However, these evil people hide ready to kill others, but they themselves are the victims. They're only ambushing themselves!
19 Ndivyo zilivyo njia za kila ambaye hupata utajiri kwa udhalimu; mapato ya udhalimu huondoa uhai wa wenye utajiri.
This is what happens to you if you try to become rich through crime—it kills you!
20 Hekima inalia kwa sauti mtaani, inapaza sauti katika viwanja;
Wisdom calls out in the streets; she shouts aloud in the squares.
21 katika mitaa inalia kwa sauti kuu, kwenye maingilio ya milango ya mji inasema “
She cries out at busy corners; she explains her message at the town gates:
22 Mpaka lini enyi wajinga mtapenda kuwa wajinga? Mpaka lini enyi wenye dhihaka mtapenda dhihaka, na hadi lini enyi wapumbavu, mtachukia maarifa?
“How long will you stupid people love stupidity? How long will scornful people enjoy their mocking? How long will fools hate knowledge?
23 Zingatia karipio langu; nitatoa mawazo yangu kwa ajili yenu; nitawafahamisha maneno yangu.
Pay attention to my warnings, and I'll pour out my deepest thoughts to you—I'll explain what I know to you.
24 Nimeita, nanyi mkakataa kusikiliza; nimeunyosha mkono wangu, wala hakuna aliyezingatia.
For I have called you, but you refused to listen; I reached out my hand to you, but you didn't care.
25 Lakini mumedharau mafundisho yangu yote na wala hamkuzingatia maelekezo yangu.
You ignored everything I said; you wouldn't accept any of my warnings.
26 Nitacheka katika taabu yenu, nitawadhihaki wakati wa kupatwa taabu-
So I'll laugh at you when you're in trouble; I'll mock you when you're in a panic.
27 hofu ya kutisha itawapata kama tufani na maafa yatawakumba kama upepo wa kisulisuli, taabu na uchungu vitawapata.
When panic rains down on you like a storm, when trouble hits you like a whirlwind, when sorrow and pain come on you,
28 Halafu wataniita, nami sitawajibu; wataniita katika hali ya kukata tamaa lakini hawataniona.
then you'll call out to me for help, but I won't answer; you'll search hard for me, but won't find me.
29 Kwa sababu wamechukia maarifa na hawakuchagua kuwa na hofu ya Yehova,
Why?—because they hated knowledge, and they didn't choose to respect the Lord.
30 hawakufuata mafundisho yangu na wakayadharau masahihisho yangu yote.
They're not willing to accept my advice; they despise all my warnings.
31 Watakula matunda ya njia zao, na watashibishwa kwa matunda ya hila zao wenyewe.
So they'll have to eat the fruit of their own choices, bloated by their own devious schemes.
32 kwa maana wajinga hufa wanaporudi nyuma, na kutojali kwa wapumbavu kutawaangamiza.
Stupid people are killed by their rebellion; foolish people are destroyed by their lack of concern.
33 Bali kila anisikilizaye ataishi kwa usalama na atapumzika salama pasipo hofu ya maafa.
But everyone who listens to me will be kept safe, and will live without worrying about problems.”
