1
Mkumbuke Muumba wako siku za ujana wako, Kabla hazijaja siku zilizo mbaya, Wala haijakaribia miaka utakaposema, Mimi sina furaha katika hiyo.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”
2
Kabla jua, na nuru, na mwezi, Na nyota, havijatiwa giza; Kabla ya kurudi mawingu baada ya mvua;
before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,
3
Siku ile walinzi wa nyumba watakapotetema; Hapo wenye nguvu watakapojiinamisha; Na wasagao kukoma kwa kuwa ni haba; Na hao wachunguliao madirishani kutiwa giza;
on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly,
4
Na milango kufungwa katika njia kuu; Sauti ya kinu itakapokuwa ni ndogo; Na mtu kusituka kwa sauti ya ndege; Nao binti za kuimba watapunguzwa;
when the doors to the street are shut and the sound of the mill fades away, when one rises at the sound of a bird and all the daughters of song grow faint,
5
Naam, wataogopa kilichoinuka Na vitisho vitakuwapo njiani; Na mlozi utachanua maua; Na panzi atakuwa ni mzigo mzito; Na pilipili hoho itapasuka; Maana mtu aiendea nyumba yake ya milele, Nao waombolezao wazunguka njiani.
when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.
6
Kabla haijakatika kamba ya fedha; Au kuvunjwa bakuli la dhahabu; Au mtungi kuvunjika kisimani; Au gurudumu kuvunjika birikani;
Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well,
7
Nayo mavumbi kuirudia nchi kama yalivyokuwa, Nayo roho kumrudia Mungu aliyeitoa.
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8
Mhubiri asema, Ubatili mtupu; mambo yote ni ubatili!
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”
9
Walakini, kwa sababu huyo Mhubiri alikuwa na hekima, aliendelea kuwafundisha watu maarifa, naam, akatafakari, akatafuta-tafuta, akatunga mithali nyingi.
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
10
Huyo Mhubiri akatafuta-tafuta ili apate kuona maneno yapendezayo, na yale yaliyoandikwa kwa unyofu, yaani, maneno ya kweli.
The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.
11
Maneno yao wenye hekima huwa mfano wa michokoo; na kama misumari iliyogongomewa sana; ndivyo yalivyo maneno yao walio wakuu wa makusanyiko, ambayo yatoka kwa mchungaji mmoja.
The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.
12
Tena, zaidi ya hayo, mwanangu, kubali maonyo; hakuna mwisho wo wote wa kutunga vitabu vingi; na kusoma sana huuchosha mwili.
And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.
13
Hii ndiyo jumla ya maneno; yote yamekwisha sikiwa; Mche Mungu, nawe uzishike amri zake, Maana kwa jumla ndiyo impasayo mtu.
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
14
Kwa maana Mungu ataleta hukumuni kila kazi, pamoja na kila neno la siri, likiwa jema au likiwa baya.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.