Mithali 3
1 Mwanangu, usizisahau amri zangu na uyatunze mafundisho yangu katika moyo wako,
My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart:
2 maana ziatakuongezea siku zako na miaka ya maisha yako na amani.
For they will give you increase 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.
Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart;
4 Ndipo utapata kibali na heshima mbele Mungu na wanadamu.
So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men.
5 Mtegemee Yehova kwa moyo wako wote na wala usitegemee ufahamu wako mwenyewe,
Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support.
6 katika njia zako zote mkiri Yeye na yeye atayanyosha mapito yako.
In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.
7 Usiwe mwenye busara machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Yehova na jiepushe na uovu.
Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:
8 Itakuponya mwili wako na kukuburudisha mwili wako.
This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones.
9 Mheshimu Yehova kwa utajiri wako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao kwa kila unachozalisha,
Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:
10 na ndipo ghala zako zitajaa na mapipa makubwa yatafurika kwa divai mpya.
So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine.
11 Mwanangu, usidharau kuadibishwa na Yohova na wala usichukie karipio lake,
My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training:
12 maana Yehova huwaadibisha wale wapendao, kama baba anavyoshughulika kwa mtoto wake ampendezaye.
For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.
13 Yeye apataye hekima anafuraha, naye hupata ufahamu.
Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.
14 Kwani katika hekima unapata manufaa kuliko ukibadilisha kwa fedha na faida yake inafaa zaidi kuliko dhahabu.
For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold.
15 Hekima inathamani zaidi kuliko kito, na hakuna unachokitamani kinaweza kulinganishwa na hekima.
She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her.
16 Yeye anasiku nyingi katika mkono wake wa kuume; na mkono wake wa kushoto ni utajiri na heshima.
Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.
17 Njia zake ni njia za ukarimu na mapito yake ni amani.
Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace.
18 Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomshikilia, wale wanaomshikilia wanafuraha.
She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.
19 Kwa hekima Yehova aliweka msingi wa dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziimarisha mbingu.
The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place.
20 Kwa maarifa yake vina vilipasuka na mawingu kudondosha umande wake.
By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.
21 Mwanangu, zingatia hukumu ya kweli na ufahamu, na wala usiache kuvitazama.
My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes.
22 Vitakuwa uzima wa nafsi yako na urembo wa hisani wa kuvaa shingoni mwako.
So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck.
23 Ndipo utatembea katika njia yako kwa usalama na mguu wako hautajikwaa;
Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping.
24 ulalapo hutaogopa; utakapolala, usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you.
25 Usitishwe na hofu ya ghafula au uharibifu uliosababishwa na waovu unapotokea,
Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers:
26 kwa maana Yehova utakuwa upande wako na ataulinda mguu wako usinaswe kwenye mtego.
For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.
27 Usizuie mema kwa wale wanaoyastahili, wakati utendaji upo ndani ya mamlaka yako.
Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, 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.
Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time.
29 Usiweke mpango wa kumdhuru jirani yako- anayeishi jirani nawe na yeye anakuamini.
Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear.
30 Usishindane na mtu pasipo sababu, ikiwa hajafanya chochote kukudhuru.
Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.
31 Usimhusudu mtu jeuri au kuchagua njia zake zozote.
Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example.
32 Maana mtu mjanja ni chukizo kwa Yehova, bali humleta mtu mwaminifu kwenye tumaini lake.
For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to 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 on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright.
34 Yeye huwadhihaki wenye dhihaka, bali huwapa hisani watu wanyenyekevu.
He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.
35 Watu wenye busara huirithi heshima, bali wapumbavu huinuliwa kwa fedheha yao wenyewe.
The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.
