Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usizisahau amri zangu na uyatunze mafundisho yangu katika moyo wako,
My son, forget not my law; But let thy heart keep my commandments:
2 maana ziatakuongezea siku zako na miaka ya maisha yako na amani.
For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to thee.
3 Usiache utiifu wa agano na uaminifu viondoke kwako, vifunge katika shingo yako, viandike katika vibao vya moyo wako.
Let not kindness and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na heshima mbele Mungu na wanadamu.
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding In the sight of God and man.
5 Mtegemee Yehova kwa moyo wako wote na wala usitegemee ufahamu wako mwenyewe,
Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:
6 katika njia zako zote mkiri Yeye na yeye atayanyosha mapito yako.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.
7 Usiwe mwenye busara machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Yehova na jiepushe na uovu.
Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:
8 Itakuponya mwili wako na kukuburudisha mwili wako.
It will be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones.
9 Mheshimu Yehova kwa utajiri wako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao kwa kila unachozalisha,
Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:
10 na ndipo ghala zako zitajaa na mapipa makubwa yatafurika kwa divai mpya.
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine.
11 Mwanangu, usidharau kuadibishwa na Yohova na wala usichukie karipio lake,
My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof:
12 maana Yehova huwaadibisha wale wapendao, kama baba anavyoshughulika kwa mtoto wake ampendezaye.
For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth, Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 Yeye apataye hekima anafuraha, naye hupata ufahamu.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.
14 Kwani katika hekima unapata manufaa kuliko ukibadilisha kwa fedha na faida yake inafaa zaidi kuliko dhahabu.
For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, And the profit thereof than fine gold.
15 Hekima inathamani zaidi kuliko kito, na hakuna unachokitamani kinaweza kulinganishwa na hekima.
She is more precious than rubies: And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.
16 Yeye anasiku nyingi katika mkono wake wa kuume; na mkono wake wa kushoto ni utajiri na heshima.
Length of days is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Njia zake ni njia za ukarimu na mapito yake ni amani.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.
18 Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomshikilia, wale wanaomshikilia wanafuraha.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 Kwa hekima Yehova aliweka msingi wa dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziimarisha mbingu.
Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens.
20 Kwa maarifa yake vina vilipasuka na mawingu kudondosha umande wake.
By his knowledge the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.
21 Mwanangu, zingatia hukumu ya kweli na ufahamu, na wala usiache kuvitazama.
My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 Vitakuwa uzima wa nafsi yako na urembo wa hisani wa kuvaa shingoni mwako.
So shall they be life unto thy soul, And grace to thy neck.
23 Ndipo utatembea katika njia yako kwa usalama na mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble.
24 ulalapo hutaogopa; utakapolala, usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Usitishwe na hofu ya ghafula au uharibifu uliosababishwa na waovu unapotokea,
Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:
26 kwa maana Yehova utakuwa upande wako na ataulinda mguu wako usinaswe kwenye mtego.
For Jehovah will be thy confidence, And will keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Usizuie mema kwa wale wanaoyastahili, wakati utendaji upo ndani ya mamlaka yako.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
28 Jirani yako usimwambie, “Nenda, na uje tena, na kesho nitakupa,” wakati pesa unazo.
Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.
29 Usiweke mpango wa kumdhuru jirani yako- anayeishi jirani nawe na yeye anakuamini.
Devise not evil against thy neighbor, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Usishindane na mtu pasipo sababu, ikiwa hajafanya chochote kukudhuru.
Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm.
31 Usimhusudu mtu jeuri au kuchagua njia zake zozote.
Envy thou not the man of violence, And choose none of his ways.
32 Maana mtu mjanja ni chukizo kwa Yehova, bali humleta mtu mwaminifu kwenye tumaini lake.
For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; But his friendship is with the upright.
33 Laana ya Yehova ipo katika nyumba ya watu waovu, bali huibariki maskani ya watu wenye haki.
The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
34 Yeye huwadhihaki wenye dhihaka, bali huwapa hisani watu wanyenyekevu.
Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 Watu wenye busara huirithi heshima, bali wapumbavu huinuliwa kwa fedheha yao wenyewe.
The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools.
