< Proverbs 1 >

1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
Mithali za Sulemani mwana wa Daudi, mfalme wa Israeli.
2 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
Mithali hizi zinafundisha hekima na maarifa, kufundisha maneno ya busara,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
ili mpate maarifa kwa ajili ya kuishi kwa kutenda wema, haki na adili.
4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—
Mithali hizi zinatoa hekima kwa wale ambao hawakufunzwa, na kuwapa vijana maarifa na hadhari.
5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
Watu wenye busara wasikie na kuongeza elimu yao na watu wenye ufahamu wapate mwongozo,
6 to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
kwa kuelewa mithali, misemo, vitendawili na maneno ya wenye busara.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
Hofu ya Yehova ni chanzo cha maarifa- wapumbavu hudharau hekima na nidhamu.
8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching;
Mwanangu, sikia fundisho la baba yako na wala usiziache kanuni za mama yako;
9 for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.
zitakuwa kilemba cha neema katika kichwa chako na jebu zinazoning'inia kwenye shingo yako.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Mwanangu wenye dhambi wakikushawishi katika dhambi zao, kataa kuwafuata.
11 If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
Kama watasema, “haya tufuatae, tuvizie ili kufanya mauaji, tujifiche ili tuwashambulie watu wasio na hatia, pasipo sababu.
12 Let's swallow them up alive like Sheol (Sheol h7585), and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
Haya tuwameza wakiwa hai, kama kuzimu inavyowachukua wenye afya, na kuwa kama wale waangukao kwenye shimoni. (Sheol h7585)
13 We will find all valuable wealth. We will fill our houses with plunder.
Tutapata vitu vyote vya thamani; tutazijaza nyumba zetu vile tunavyoiba kwa wengine.
14 You shall cast your lot among us. We will all have one purse”—
Weka vitu vyako kwetu; tutakuwa na mfuko moja kwa pamoja.”
15 my son, do not walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,
Mwanangu, usitembee katika njia moja pamoja nao; usiruhusu mguu wako kugusa katika mapito yao;
16 for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
miguu ya hukimbilia mabaya na huharakisha kumwaga damu.
17 For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
Kwa kuwa haina maana kumtegea ndege mtego wakati ndege anaona.
18 but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
Watu hawa huvizia kujiua wenyewe—wanatega mtego kwa ajili yao wenyewe.
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
Ndivyo zilivyo njia za kila ambaye hupata utajiri kwa udhalimu; mapato ya udhalimu huondoa uhai wa wenye utajiri.
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
Hekima inalia kwa sauti mtaani, inapaza sauti katika viwanja;
21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
katika mitaa inalia kwa sauti kuu, kwenye maingilio ya milango ya mji inasema “
22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
Mpaka lini enyi wajinga mtapenda kuwa wajinga? Mpaka lini enyi wenye dhihaka mtapenda dhihaka, na hadi lini enyi wapumbavu, mtachukia maarifa?
23 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
Zingatia karipio langu; nitatoa mawazo yangu kwa ajili yenu; nitawafahamisha maneno yangu.
24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
Nimeita, nanyi mkakataa kusikiliza; nimeunyosha mkono wangu, wala hakuna aliyezingatia.
25 but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
Lakini mumedharau mafundisho yangu yote na wala hamkuzingatia maelekezo yangu.
26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
Nitacheka katika taabu yenu, nitawadhihaki wakati wa kupatwa taabu-
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.
hofu ya kutisha itawapata kama tufani na maafa yatawakumba kama upepo wa kisulisuli, taabu na uchungu vitawapata.
28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,
Halafu wataniita, nami sitawajibu; wataniita katika hali ya kukata tamaa lakini hawataniona.
29 because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD.
Kwa sababu wamechukia maarifa na hawakuchagua kuwa na hofu ya Yehova,
30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
hawakufuata mafundisho yangu na wakayadharau masahihisho yangu yote.
31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
Watakula matunda ya njia zao, na watashibishwa kwa matunda ya hila zao wenyewe.
32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
kwa maana wajinga hufa wanaporudi nyuma, na kutojali kwa wapumbavu kutawaangamiza.
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Bali kila anisikilizaye ataishi kwa usalama na atapumzika salama pasipo hofu ya maafa.

< Proverbs 1 >