Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usizisahau amri zangu na uyatunze mafundisho yangu katika moyo wako,
My son, do not forget my commands and keep my teachings in your heart,
2 maana ziatakuongezea siku zako na miaka ya maisha yako na amani.
for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Usiache utiifu wa agano na uaminifu viondoke kwako, vifunge katika shingo yako, viandike katika vibao vya moyo wako.
Do not let covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness ever leave you, tie them together about 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 a good reputation in the sight of God and man.
5 Mtegemee Yehova kwa moyo wako wote na wala usitegemee ufahamu wako mwenyewe,
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean 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.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.
8 Itakuponya mwili wako na kukuburudisha mwili wako.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment for your body.
9 Mheshimu Yehova kwa utajiri wako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao kwa kila unachozalisha,
Honor Yahweh with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce,
10 na ndipo ghala zako zitajaa na mapipa makubwa yatafurika kwa divai mpya.
and your storehouses will be filled up and your vats will be bursting, full of new wine.
11 Mwanangu, usidharau kuadibishwa na Yohova na wala usichukie karipio lake,
My son, do not despise Yahweh's instruction and do not hate his rebuke,
12 maana Yehova huwaadibisha wale wapendao, kama baba anavyoshughulika kwa mtoto wake ampendezaye.
for Yahweh disciplines those he loves, as a father deals with a son who pleases him.
13 Yeye apataye hekima anafuraha, naye hupata ufahamu.
The one who finds wisdom is blessed; he also gets understanding.
14 Kwani katika hekima unapata manufaa kuliko ukibadilisha kwa fedha na faida yake inafaa zaidi kuliko dhahabu.
What you gain from wisdom is better than what silver will give in return and its profit is better than gold.
15 Hekima inathamani zaidi kuliko kito, na hakuna unachokitamani kinaweza kulinganishwa na hekima.
Wisdom is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare to her.
16 Yeye anasiku nyingi katika mkono wake wa kuume; na mkono wake wa kushoto ni utajiri na heshima.
She has length of days 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 kindness 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 those who take hold of it, those who hold on to it are happy.
19 Kwa hekima Yehova aliweka msingi wa dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziimarisha mbingu.
By wisdom Yahweh 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 broke open and the clouds dropped their dew.
21 Mwanangu, zingatia hukumu ya kweli na ufahamu, na wala usiache kuvitazama.
My son, keep sound judgment and discernment, and do not lose sight of them.
22 Vitakuwa uzima wa nafsi yako na urembo wa hisani wa kuvaa shingoni mwako.
They will be life to your soul and an adornment of favor to wear around your neck.
23 Ndipo utatembea katika njia yako kwa usalama na mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then you will walk 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 lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Usitishwe na hofu ya ghafula au uharibifu uliosababishwa na waovu unapotokea,
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or devastation caused by the wicked, when it comes,
26 kwa maana Yehova utakuwa upande wako na ataulinda mguu wako usinaswe kwenye mtego.
for Yahweh will be on your side and will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Usizuie mema kwa wale wanaoyastahili, wakati utendaji upo ndani ya mamlaka yako.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
28 Jirani yako usimwambie, “Nenda, na uje tena, na kesho nitakupa,” wakati pesa unazo.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have the money with you.
29 Usiweke mpango wa kumdhuru jirani yako- anayeishi jirani nawe na yeye anakuamini.
Do not make a plan to harm your neighbor— the one who lives close and trusts you.
30 Usishindane na mtu pasipo sababu, ikiwa hajafanya chochote kukudhuru.
Do not argue with a person without a reason, when he has done nothing to harm you.
31 Usimhusudu mtu jeuri au kuchagua njia zake zozote.
Do not envy a violent person or choose any of his ways.
32 Maana mtu mjanja ni chukizo kwa Yehova, bali humleta mtu mwaminifu kwenye tumaini lake.
For the devious person is detestable to Yahweh, but he brings the upright person into his confidence.
33 Laana ya Yehova ipo katika nyumba ya watu waovu, bali huibariki maskani ya watu wenye haki.
The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked person, but he blesses the home of righteous people.
34 Yeye huwadhihaki wenye dhihaka, bali huwapa hisani watu wanyenyekevu.
He mocks mockers, but he gives his favor to humble people.
35 Watu wenye busara huirithi heshima, bali wapumbavu huinuliwa kwa fedheha yao wenyewe.
Wise people inherit honor, but fools will be lifted up in their shame.
