Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usizisahau amri zangu na uyatunze mafundisho yangu katika moyo wako,
My son, forget not my teaching; 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 table of thy heart;
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na heshima mbele Mungu na wanadamu.
So shalt thou find grace and good favour 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 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 the LORD, and depart from evil;
8 Itakuponya mwili wako na kukuburudisha mwili wako.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Mheshimu Yehova kwa utajiri wako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao kwa kila unachozalisha,
Honour the LORD 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 the LORD, neither spurn thou His correction;
12 maana Yehova huwaadibisha wale wapendao, kama baba anavyoshughulika kwa mtoto wake ampendezaye.
For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth, 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 obtaineth understanding.
14 Kwani katika hekima unapata manufaa kuliko ukibadilisha kwa fedha na faida yake inafaa zaidi kuliko dhahabu.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 Hekima inathamani zaidi kuliko kito, na hakuna unachokitamani kinaweza kulinganishwa na hekima.
She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not 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 honour.
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 holdest her fast.
19 Kwa hekima Yehova aliweka msingi wa dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziimarisha mbingu.
The LORD 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 not them 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 thou shalt not dash thy foot.
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 terror, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh;
26 kwa maana Yehova utakuwa upande wako na ataulinda mguu wako usinaswe kwenye mtego.
For the LORD will be thy confidence, and will keep thy foot from being caught.
27 Usizuie mema kwa wale wanaoyastahili, wakati utendaji upo ndani ya mamlaka yako.
Withhold not good from him 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 neighbour: '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 neighbour, 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 the LORD; but His counsel is with 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 in the house of the wicked; but He blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
34 Yeye huwadhihaki wenye dhihaka, bali huwapa hisani watu wanyenyekevu.
If it concerneth the scorners, He scorneth them, but unto the humble He giveth grace.
35 Watu wenye busara huirithi heshima, bali wapumbavu huinuliwa kwa fedheha yao wenyewe.
The wise shall inherit honour; but as for the fools, they carry away shame.
