Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usizisahau amri zangu na uyatunze mafundisho yangu katika moyo wako,
My son, don’t 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 to you length of days, years of life, and peace.
3 Usiache utiifu wa agano na uaminifu viondoke kwako, vifunge katika shingo yako, viandike katika vibao vya moyo wako.
Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na heshima mbele Mungu na wanadamu.
So you will find favour, and good understanding 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 don’t 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.
Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 Itakuponya mwili wako na kukuburudisha mwili wako.
It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
9 Mheshimu Yehova kwa utajiri wako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao kwa kila unachozalisha,
Honour the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase;
10 na ndipo ghala zako zitajaa na mapipa makubwa yatafurika kwa divai mpya.
so 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, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;
12 maana Yehova huwaadibisha wale wapendao, kama baba anavyoshughulika kwa mtoto wake ampendezaye.
for whom the LORD loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
13 Yeye apataye hekima anafuraha, naye hupata ufahamu.
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
14 Kwani katika hekima unapata manufaa kuliko ukibadilisha kwa fedha na faida yake inafaa zaidi kuliko dhahabu.
For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
15 Hekima inathamani zaidi kuliko kito, na hakuna unachokitamani kinaweza kulinganishwa na hekima.
She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to 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. 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 lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
19 Kwa hekima Yehova aliweka msingi wa dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziimarisha mbingu.
By wisdom the LORD 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 them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 Vitakuwa uzima wa nafsi yako na urembo wa hisani wa kuvaa shingoni mwako.
so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.
23 Ndipo utatembea katika njia yako kwa usalama na mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.
24 ulalapo hutaogopa; utakapolala, usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Usitishwe na hofu ya ghafula au uharibifu uliosababishwa na waovu unapotokea,
Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes;
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 being taken.
27 Usizuie mema kwa wale wanaoyastahili, wakati utendaji upo ndani ya mamlaka yako.
Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 Jirani yako usimwambie, “Nenda, na uje tena, na kesho nitakupa,” wakati pesa unazo.
Don’t say to your neighbour, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.
29 Usiweke mpango wa kumdhuru jirani yako- anayeishi jirani nawe na yeye anakuamini.
Don’t devise evil against your neighbour, since he dwells securely by you.
30 Usishindane na mtu pasipo sababu, ikiwa hajafanya chochote kukudhuru.
Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.
31 Usimhusudu mtu jeuri au kuchagua njia zake zozote.
Don’t envy the man of violence. 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 friendship is with the upright.
33 Laana ya Yehova ipo katika nyumba ya watu waovu, bali huibariki maskani ya watu wenye haki.
The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
34 Yeye huwadhihaki wenye dhihaka, bali huwapa hisani watu wanyenyekevu.
Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.
35 Watu wenye busara huirithi heshima, bali wapumbavu huinuliwa kwa fedheha yao wenyewe.
The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.
