1
Jitunze mguu wako uendapo nyumbani kwa Mungu; Maana ni heri kukaribia ili usikie, Kuliko kutoa kafara ya wapumbavu; Ambao hawajui kuwa wafanya mabaya.
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2
Usiseme maneno ya ujinga kwa kinywa chako, wala moyo wako usiwe na haraka kunena mbele za Mungu; kwa maana, Mungu yuko mbinguni, na wewe upo chini, Kwa hiyo maneno yako na yawe machache.
Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
3
Kwa maana ndoto huja kwa sababu ya shughuli nyingi; na sauti ya mpumbavu kwa njia ya wingi wa maneno.
As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
4
Wewe ukimwekea Mungu nadhiri, usikawie kuiondoa; kwa kuwa yeye hawi radhi na wapumbavu; basi, uiondoe hiyo uliyoiweka nadhiri.
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.
5
Ni afadhali usiweke nadhiri, Kuliko kuiweka usiiondoe.
It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
6
Usikiache kinywa chako kuukosesha mwili wako; wala usiseme mbele ya huyo malaika ya kwamba umepitiliwa; kwani Mungu akukasirikie sauti yako, na kuiharibu kazi ya mikono yako?
Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?
7
Maana ndivyo ilivyo katika habari za wingi wa ndoto, na ubatili, na maneno mengi; walakini wewe umche Mungu.
For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
8
Ujapokuwa unaona maskini kuonewa, na hukumu na haki kuondolewa kwa jeuri katika jimbo, usilistaajabie jambo hilo; kwa sababu, Aliye juu kuliko walio juu huangalia; Tena wako walio juu kupita hao.
If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.
9
Lakini, pamoja na hayo, manufaa ya nchi kwa kila njia ni mfalme anayejibidiisha kwa ajili ya shamba.
The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
10
Apendaye fedha hatashiba fedha, Wala apendaye wingi hatashiba maongeo. Hayo pia ni ubatili.
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.
11
Mali yakiongezeka, hao walao nao waongezeka na mwenyewe hufaidiwa nini, ila kuyatazama kwa macho yake tu?
When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?
12
Usingizi wake kibarua ni mtamu, kwamba amekula kidogo, au kwamba amekula kingi; lakini kushiba kwake tajiri hakumwachi kulala usingizi.
The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.
13
Kuna na balaa mbaya sana niliyoiona chini ya jua, nayo ni hii, mali alizoziweka mwenyewe kwa kujinyima;
There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
14
na mali hizo zimepotea kwa bahati mbaya; naye akiwa amezaa mwana, hamna kitu mkononi mwake.
or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.
15
Alivyotoka tumboni mwa mamaye, atakwenda tena tupu-tupu kama alivyokuja; asichume kitu cho chote kwa ajili ya kazi yake, hata akichukue mkononi mwake.
As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.
16
Hiyo ndiyo balaa mbaya sana, ya kwamba kama vile alivyokuja, vivyo hivyo atakwenda zake; naye amefaidiwa nini mwenye kujitaabisha kwa ajili ya upepo?
This too is a grievous affliction: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?
17
Siku zake zote hula gizani, mwenye fadhaa nyingi, mwenye ugonjwa na uchungu.
Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.
18
Tazama, mimi niliyoyaona kuwa ndiyo mema na ya kufaa, ni mtu kula na kunywa, na kujiburudisha kwa mema katika kazi yake yote anayoifanya chini ya jua, siku zote za maisha yake alizopewa na Mungu; maana hilo ndilo fungu lake.
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
19
Tena, kwa habari za kila mwanadamu, ambaye Mungu amempa mali na ukwasi, akamwezesha kula katika hizo, na kuipokea sehemu yake, na kuifurahia amali yake; hiyo ndiyo karama ya Mungu.
Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.
20
Kwa kuwa mtu hatazikumbuka mno siku za maisha yake; kwa sababu Mungu humtakabali katika furaha ya moyo wake.
For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.