Mithali 4
1 Wanangu, sikilizeni, fundisho la baba, na zingatieni ili mjue maana ya ufahamu.
Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
2 Mimi ninawapa mafundisho mazuri; msiyaache mafundisho yangu.
for I give you sound learning. Do not forsake my law.
3 Mimi nilikuwa mwana kwa baba yangu, mpole na mtoto pekee kwa mama yangu,
For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
4 baba alinifundisha akiniambia, “Moyo wako uzingatie sana maneno yangu; shika amri zangu nawe uishi.
He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
5 Jipatie hekima na ufahamu; usisahau na kuyakataa maneno ya kinywa changu;
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Do not forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
6 usiiache hekima nayo itakulinda; ipenda nayo itakuhifadhi salama.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Hekima ni kitu cha muhimu sana, hivyo jipatie hekima na tumia namna zote kuweza kupata ufahamu.
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
8 Tunza hekima nayo itakutukuza; ikumbatie nayo itakuheshimu.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
9 Hekima itaweka kilemba cha heshima juu ya kichwa chako; itakupa taji zuri.
She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."
10 Mwanangu, sikiliza, na kuzingatia maneno yangu, nawe utapata miaka mingi ya maisha yako.
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
11 Ninakuelekeza katika njia ya hekima, nimekuongoza katika mapito yaliyonyooka.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
12 Unapotembea, hakuna atakayesimama katika njia yako na kama ukikimbia hutajikwaa.
When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
13 Shika mwongozo wala usiuache, utakuongoza, maana ni uzima wako.
Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
14 Usifuate njia ya waovu wala usiende katika njia ya watendao uovu.
Do not enter into the path of the wicked. Do not walk in the way of evil men.
15 Jiepushe nayo, usipite katika njia hiyo; geuka na upite njia nyingine.
Avoid it, and do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
16 Maana hawawezi kulala mpaka wafanye ubaya na hupotewa na usingizi hadi wasababishe mtu kujikwaa.
For they do not sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
17 Maana wao hula mkate wa uovu na hunywa divai ya vurugu.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 Bali njia ya mwenye kutenda haki ni kama mwanga ung'aao, huangaza zaidi na zaidi hadi mchana inapowasili kwa ukamilifu.
But the path of the righteous is like a shining light, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
19 Njia ya waovu ni kama giza - hawajui ni kitu gani huwa wanajikwaa juu yake.
The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know what they stumble over.
20 Mwanangu, zingatia maneno yangu; sikiliza kauli zangu.
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
21 Usiziache zikaondoka machoni pako; uzitunze katika moyo wako.
Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 Maana maneno yangu ni uzima kwa wenye kuyapata na afya katika mwili wao.
For they are life to him who finds them, and health to all of his body.
23 Ulinde salama moyo wako na uukinge kwa bidii zote; kwa kuwa katika moyo hububujika chemichemi za uzima.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
24 Jiepushe na kauli za udanganyifu na ujiepushe na mazungumzo ya ufisadi.
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
25 Macho yako yatazame mbele kwa unyoofu na kwa uthabiti tazama mbele sawasawa.
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Usawazishe pito la mguu wako; na njia zako zote zitakuwa salama.
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
27 Usigeuke upande wa kulia au kushoto; ondoa mguu wako mbali na uovu.
Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
