Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usizisahau amri zangu na uyatunze mafundisho yangu katika moyo wako,
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 maana ziatakuongezea siku zako na miaka ya maisha yako na amani.
for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.
3 Usiache utiifu wa agano na uaminifu viondoke kwako, vifunge katika shingo yako, viandike katika vibao vya moyo wako.
Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na heshima mbele Mungu na wanadamu.
Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
5 Mtegemee Yehova kwa moyo wako wote na wala usitegemee ufahamu wako mwenyewe,
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 katika njia zako zote mkiri Yeye na yeye atayanyosha mapito yako.
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Usiwe mwenye busara machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Yehova na jiepushe na uovu.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 Itakuponya mwili wako na kukuburudisha mwili wako.
This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Mheshimu Yehova kwa utajiri wako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao kwa kila unachozalisha,
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
10 na ndipo ghala zako zitajaa na mapipa makubwa yatafurika kwa divai mpya.
then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 Mwanangu, usidharau kuadibishwa na Yohova na wala usichukie karipio lake,
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;
12 maana Yehova huwaadibisha wale wapendao, kama baba anavyoshughulika kwa mtoto wake ampendezaye.
for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Yeye apataye hekima anafuraha, naye hupata ufahamu.
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
14 Kwani katika hekima unapata manufaa kuliko ukibadilisha kwa fedha na faida yake inafaa zaidi kuliko dhahabu.
for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
15 Hekima inathamani zaidi kuliko kito, na hakuna unachokitamani kinaweza kulinganishwa na hekima.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Yeye anasiku nyingi katika mkono wake wa kuume; na mkono wake wa kushoto ni utajiri na heshima.
Long life 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.
All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
18 Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomshikilia, wale wanaomshikilia wanafuraha.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
19 Kwa hekima Yehova aliweka msingi wa dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziimarisha mbingu.
The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
20 Kwa maarifa yake vina vilipasuka na mawingu kudondosha umande wake.
By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.
21 Mwanangu, zingatia hukumu ya kweli na ufahamu, na wala usiache kuvitazama.
My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
22 Vitakuwa uzima wa nafsi yako na urembo wa hisani wa kuvaa shingoni mwako.
They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
23 Ndipo utatembea katika njia yako kwa usalama na mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
24 ulalapo hutaogopa; utakapolala, usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Usitishwe na hofu ya ghafula au uharibifu uliosababishwa na waovu unapotokea,
Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 kwa maana Yehova utakuwa upande wako na ataulinda mguu wako usinaswe kwenye mtego.
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
27 Usizuie mema kwa wale wanaoyastahili, wakati utendaji upo ndani ya mamlaka yako.
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
28 Jirani yako usimwambie, “Nenda, na uje tena, na kesho nitakupa,” wakati pesa unazo.
Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”— when you already have the means.
29 Usiweke mpango wa kumdhuru jirani yako- anayeishi jirani nawe na yeye anakuamini.
Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.
30 Usishindane na mtu pasipo sababu, ikiwa hajafanya chochote kukudhuru.
Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
31 Usimhusudu mtu jeuri au kuchagua njia zake zozote.
Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
32 Maana mtu mjanja ni chukizo kwa Yehova, bali humleta mtu mwaminifu kwenye tumaini lake.
for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.
33 Laana ya Yehova ipo katika nyumba ya watu waovu, bali huibariki maskani ya watu wenye haki.
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.
34 Yeye huwadhihaki wenye dhihaka, bali huwapa hisani watu wanyenyekevu.
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
35 Watu wenye busara huirithi heshima, bali wapumbavu huinuliwa kwa fedheha yao wenyewe.
The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.
