Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usizisahau amri zangu na uyatunze mafundisho yangu katika moyo wako,
My son, forget not my teaching, And let thy heart observe my precepts!
2 maana ziatakuongezea siku zako na miaka ya maisha yako na amani.
For length of days, and years of life, And peace shall they multiply 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 around thy neck, Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na heshima mbele Mungu na wanadamu.
Then shalt thou find favor and good success 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 on thine own understanding;
6 katika njia zako zote mkiri Yeye na yeye atayanyosha mapito yako.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will make thy paths plain.
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 muscles, And moisture to thy bones.
9 Mheshimu Yehova kwa utajiri wako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao kwa kila unachozalisha,
Honor the LORD with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thy 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 overflow with new wine.
11 Mwanangu, usidharau kuadibishwa na Yohova na wala usichukie karipio lake,
My son, despise not the correction of the LORD, Nor be impatient under his chastisement!
12 maana Yehova huwaadibisha wale wapendao, kama baba anavyoshughulika kwa mtoto wake ampendezaye.
For whom the LORD loveth he chasteneth, Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 Yeye apataye hekima anafuraha, naye hupata ufahamu.
Happy the man who findeth wisdom; Yea, the man who getteth understanding!
14 Kwani katika hekima unapata manufaa kuliko ukibadilisha kwa fedha na faida yake inafaa zaidi kuliko dhahabu.
For the profit thereof is greater than that of silver, And the gain thereof than that of fine gold.
15 Hekima inathamani zaidi kuliko kito, na hakuna unachokitamani kinaweza kulinganishwa na hekima.
More precious is she than pearls, And none of thy jewels is 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; 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 of her, And happy is every one who hath her in his grasp.
19 Kwa hekima Yehova aliweka msingi wa dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziimarisha mbingu.
The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he framed the heavens.
20 Kwa maarifa yake vina vilipasuka na mawingu kudondosha umande wake.
By his knowledge the deep waters were cleft, And the clouds 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.
For they shall be life to thy soul, And grace to thy neck.
23 Ndipo utatembea katika njia yako kwa usalama na mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then shalt thou go on 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 thou afraid of sudden alarm, Nor of the storm that is for the wicked, when it cometh;
26 kwa maana Yehova utakuwa upande wako na ataulinda mguu wako usinaswe kwenye mtego.
For the LORD shall be thy confidence; Yea, he will keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Usizuie mema kwa wale wanaoyastahili, wakati utendaji upo ndani ya mamlaka yako.
Withhold not kindness from those who need it, 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 to thy neighbor, “Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give to thee,” 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, While he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Usishindane na mtu pasipo sababu, ikiwa hajafanya chochote kukudhuru.
Contend not with a man without cause, When he hath done thee no harm.
31 Usimhusudu mtu jeuri au kuchagua njia zake zozote.
Envy not the oppressor, And choose none of his ways.
32 Maana mtu mjanja ni chukizo kwa Yehova, bali humleta mtu mwaminifu kwenye tumaini lake.
For the perverse man is the abomination of the LORD, But he is in friendship 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 upon the house of the wicked, But he blesseth the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Yeye huwadhihaki wenye dhihaka, bali huwapa hisani watu wanyenyekevu.
Surely the scorners he treadeth scornfully, But giveth favor to the lowly.
35 Watu wenye busara huirithi heshima, bali wapumbavu huinuliwa kwa fedheha yao wenyewe.
The wise shall obtain honor, But fools shall bear off shame.
