Mithali 1
1 Mithali za Sulemani mwana wa Daudi, mfalme wa Israeli.
The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 Mithali hizi zinafundisha hekima na maarifa, kufundisha maneno ya busara,
to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
3 ili mpate maarifa kwa ajili ya kuishi kwa kutenda wema, haki na adili.
to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 Mithali hizi zinatoa hekima kwa wale ambao hawakufunzwa, na kuwapa vijana maarifa na hadhari.
to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—
5 Watu wenye busara wasikie na kuongeza elimu yao na watu wenye ufahamu wapate mwongozo,
that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
6 kwa kuelewa mithali, misemo, vitendawili na maneno ya wenye busara.
to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
7 Hofu ya Yehova ni chanzo cha maarifa- wapumbavu hudharau hekima na nidhamu.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Mwanangu, sikia fundisho la baba yako na wala usiziache kanuni za mama yako;
My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
9 zitakuwa kilemba cha neema katika kichwa chako na jebu zinazoning'inia kwenye shingo yako.
for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.
10 Mwanangu wenye dhambi wakikushawishi katika dhambi zao, kataa kuwafuata.
My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.
11 Kama watasema, “haya tufuatae, tuvizie ili kufanya mauaji, tujifiche ili tuwashambulie watu wasio na hatia, pasipo sababu.
If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
12 Haya tuwameza wakiwa hai, kama kuzimu inavyowachukua wenye afya, na kuwa kama wale waangukao kwenye shimoni. (Sheol h7585)
Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. (Sheol h7585)
13 Tutapata vitu vyote vya thamani; tutazijaza nyumba zetu vile tunavyoiba kwa wengine.
We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.
14 Weka vitu vyako kwetu; tutakuwa na mfuko moja kwa pamoja.”
You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—
15 Mwanangu, usitembee katika njia moja pamoja nao; usiruhusu mguu wako kugusa katika mapito yao;
my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,
16 miguu ya hukimbilia mabaya na huharakisha kumwaga damu.
for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
17 Kwa kuwa haina maana kumtegea ndege mtego wakati ndege anaona.
For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
18 Watu hawa huvizia kujiua wenyewe—wanatega mtego kwa ajili yao wenyewe.
but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 Ndivyo zilivyo njia za kila ambaye hupata utajiri kwa udhalimu; mapato ya udhalimu huondoa uhai wa wenye utajiri.
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
20 Hekima inalia kwa sauti mtaani, inapaza sauti katika viwanja;
Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
21 katika mitaa inalia kwa sauti kuu, kwenye maingilio ya milango ya mji inasema “
She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
22 Mpaka lini enyi wajinga mtapenda kuwa wajinga? Mpaka lini enyi wenye dhihaka mtapenda dhihaka, na hadi lini enyi wapumbavu, mtachukia maarifa?
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Zingatia karipio langu; nitatoa mawazo yangu kwa ajili yenu; nitawafahamisha maneno yangu.
Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
24 Nimeita, nanyi mkakataa kusikiliza; nimeunyosha mkono wangu, wala hakuna aliyezingatia.
Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
25 Lakini mumedharau mafundisho yangu yote na wala hamkuzingatia maelekezo yangu.
but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
26 Nitacheka katika taabu yenu, nitawadhihaki wakati wa kupatwa taabu-
I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
27 hofu ya kutisha itawapata kama tufani na maafa yatawakumba kama upepo wa kisulisuli, taabu na uchungu vitawapata.
when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.
28 Halafu wataniita, nami sitawajibu; wataniita katika hali ya kukata tamaa lakini hawataniona.
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,
29 Kwa sababu wamechukia maarifa na hawakuchagua kuwa na hofu ya Yehova,
because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.
30 hawakufuata mafundisho yangu na wakayadharau masahihisho yangu yote.
They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
31 Watakula matunda ya njia zao, na watashibishwa kwa matunda ya hila zao wenyewe.
Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
32 kwa maana wajinga hufa wanaporudi nyuma, na kutojali kwa wapumbavu kutawaangamiza.
For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
33 Bali kila anisikilizaye ataishi kwa usalama na atapumzika salama pasipo hofu ya maafa.
But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
