Mithali 2
1 Mwanangu, kama ukiyapokea maneno yangu na kuzitunza amri zangu,
My son, if thou wouldst but accept my words, and treasure up my commandments with thee;
2 usikilize hekima na utaelekeza moyo wako katika ufahamu.
To let thy ear listen unto wisdom: [if] thou wouldst incline thy heart to understanding.
3 kama utalilia ufahamu na kupaza sauti yako kwa ajili ya ufahamu,
For if thou wilt call after intelligence; if after understanding thou wilt lift up thy voice;
4 kama utautafuta kama fedha na kupekua ufahamu kama unatafuta hazina iliyojificha,
If thou wilt seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures:
5 ndipo utakapofahamu hofu ya Yehova na utapata maarifa ya Mungu.
Then wilt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and the knowledge of God wilt thou find.
6 Kwa kuwa Yohova hutoa hekima, katika kinywa chake hutoka maarifa na ufahamu.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [come] knowledge and understanding.
7 Yeye huhifadhi sauti ya hekima kwa wale wampendezao, yeye ni ngao kwa wale waendao katika uadilifu,
He treasureth up sound wisdom for the righteous, as a shield to those that walk in integrity:
8 huongoza katika njia za haki na atalinda njia ya waaminifu kwake.
That men may keep the paths of justice; and the way of his pious servants doth he guard.
9 Ndipo utakapoelewa wema, haki, usawa na kila njia njema.
Then wilt thou understand righteousness, and justice, and equity: yea, every track of goodness.
10 Maana hekima itaingia moyoni mwako na maarifa yataipendeza nafsi yako.
For wisdom will enter thy heart, and knowledge will be pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Busara itakulinda, ufahamu utakuongoza.
Discretion will watch over thee, understanding will keep thee;
12 Vitakuokoa kutoka katika njia ya uovu, kutoka kwa wale waongeao mambo potovu.
To deliver thee from the way of the bad, from the man that speaketh perverse things;
13 Ambao huziacha njia za wema na kutembea katika njia za giza.
[From those] who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Hufurahia wanapotenda maovu na hupendezwa katika upotovu.
Who rejoice to do evil, who are delighted in the perverseness of the bad;
15 Hufuata njia za udanganyifu na kwa kutumia ghilba huficha mapito yao.
Who as regardeth their paths are crooked, and froward in their tracks.
16 Busara na hekima zitakuokoa kutoka kwa mwanamke malaya, kutoka kwa mwanamke anayetafuta visa na mwenye maneno ya kubembeleza.
To deliver thee from the adulteress, from the alien woman that useth flattering speeches;
17 Yeye humwacha mwenzi wa ujana wake na kusahau agano la Mungu wake.
That forsaketh the friend of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 Maana nyumba yake huinama na kufa na mapito yake yatakupeleka kwa wale walioko kaburini.
For she sinketh unto death—her house, and unto the departed [lead] her tracks.
19 Wote waiendeao njia yake hawatarudi tena na wala hawataziona njia za uzima.
All that come unto her return not again, and they will not reach the paths of life.
20 kwa hiyo utatembea katika njia ya watu wema na kufuata njia za wale watendao mema.
In order that thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and observe the paths of the righteous.
21 Kwa wale watendao mema watafanya makazi yao katika nchi, na wale wenye uadilifu watadumu katika nchi.
For the upright will dwell on the earth, and the perfect will be left remaining on it.
22 Lakini waovu wataondolewa katika nchi na wale wasioamini wataondolewa katika nchi.
But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the treacherous shall be plucked up therefrom.
