Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usizisahau amri zangu na uyatunze mafundisho yangu katika moyo wako,
My son, forget not my law, and let thy heart keep my commandments.
2 maana ziatakuongezea siku zako na miaka ya maisha yako na amani.
For they shall add to thee length of days, and years of life and peace.
3 Usiache utiifu wa agano na uaminifu viondoke kwako, vifunge katika shingo yako, viandike katika vibao vya moyo wako.
Let not mercy and truth leave thee, put them about thy neck, and write them in the tables of thy heart:
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na heshima mbele Mungu na wanadamu.
And thou shalt And grace and good understanding before God and men.
5 Mtegemee Yehova kwa moyo wako wote na wala usitegemee ufahamu wako mwenyewe,
Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence.
6 katika njia zako zote mkiri Yeye na yeye atayanyosha mapito yako.
In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
7 Usiwe mwenye busara machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Yehova na jiepushe na uovu.
I Be not wise in thy own conceit: fear God, and depart from evil:
8 Itakuponya mwili wako na kukuburudisha mwili wako.
For it shall be health to thy navel, and moistening to thy bones.
9 Mheshimu Yehova kwa utajiri wako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao kwa kila unachozalisha,
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and give him of the first of all thy fruits:
10 na ndipo ghala zako zitajaa na mapipa makubwa yatafurika kwa divai mpya.
And thy barns shall be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall run over with wine.
11 Mwanangu, usidharau kuadibishwa na Yohova na wala usichukie karipio lake,
My son, reject not the correction of the Lord: and do not faint when thou art chastised by him:
12 maana Yehova huwaadibisha wale wapendao, kama baba anavyoshughulika kwa mtoto wake ampendezaye.
For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth: and as a father in the son he pleaseth himself.
13 Yeye apataye hekima anafuraha, naye hupata ufahamu.
Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom and is rich in prudence:
14 Kwani katika hekima unapata manufaa kuliko ukibadilisha kwa fedha na faida yake inafaa zaidi kuliko dhahabu.
The purchasing thereof is better than the merchandise of silver, and her fruit than the chiefest and purest gold:
15 Hekima inathamani zaidi kuliko kito, na hakuna unachokitamani kinaweza kulinganishwa na hekima.
She is more precious than all riches: and all the things that are desired, are not to be compared with 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, and in her left hand riches and glory.
17 Njia zake ni njia za ukarimu na mapito yake ni amani.
Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceable.
18 Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomshikilia, wale wanaomshikilia wanafuraha.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain her is blessed.
19 Kwa hekima Yehova aliweka msingi wa dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziimarisha mbingu.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, hath established the heavens by prudence.
20 Kwa maarifa yake vina vilipasuka na mawingu kudondosha umande wake.
By his wisdom the depths have broken out, and the clouds grow thick with dew.
21 Mwanangu, zingatia hukumu ya kweli na ufahamu, na wala usiache kuvitazama.
My son, let not these things depart from thy eyes: keep the law and counsel:
22 Vitakuwa uzima wa nafsi yako na urembo wa hisani wa kuvaa shingoni mwako.
And there shall be life to thy soul, and grace to thy mouth.
23 Ndipo utatembea katika njia yako kwa usalama na mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then shalt thou walk confidently in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble:
24 ulalapo hutaogopa; utakapolala, usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
If thou sleep, thou shalt not fear: thou shalt rest, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Usitishwe na hofu ya ghafula au uharibifu uliosababishwa na waovu unapotokea,
Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the power of the wicked falling upon thee.
26 kwa maana Yehova utakuwa upande wako na ataulinda mguu wako usinaswe kwenye mtego.
For the Lord will be at thy side, and will keep thy foot that thou be not taken.
27 Usizuie mema kwa wale wanaoyastahili, wakati utendaji upo ndani ya mamlaka yako.
Do not withhold him from doing good, who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also.
28 Jirani yako usimwambie, “Nenda, na uje tena, na kesho nitakupa,” wakati pesa unazo.
Say not to thy friend: Go, and come again: and tomorrow I will give to thee: when thou canst give at present.
29 Usiweke mpango wa kumdhuru jirani yako- anayeishi jirani nawe na yeye anakuamini.
Practise not evil against thy friend, when he hath confidence in thee.
30 Usishindane na mtu pasipo sababu, ikiwa hajafanya chochote kukudhuru.
Strive not against a man without cause, when he hath done thee no evil.
31 Usimhusudu mtu jeuri au kuchagua njia zake zozote.
Envy not the unjust man, and do not follow his ways:
32 Maana mtu mjanja ni chukizo kwa Yehova, bali humleta mtu mwaminifu kwenye tumaini lake.
For every mocker is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is with the simple.
33 Laana ya Yehova ipo katika nyumba ya watu waovu, bali huibariki maskani ya watu wenye haki.
Want is from the Lord in the house of the wicked: but the habitations of the just shall be blessed.
34 Yeye huwadhihaki wenye dhihaka, bali huwapa hisani watu wanyenyekevu.
He shall scorn the scorners, and to the meek he will give grace.
35 Watu wenye busara huirithi heshima, bali wapumbavu huinuliwa kwa fedheha yao wenyewe.
The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools is disgrace.
