1
Mithali za Sulemani, mwana wa Daudi, mfalme wa Israeli.
These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,
2
Kujua hekima na adabu; kutambua maneno ya ufahamu;
for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight,
3
kufundishwa matendo ya busara, katika haki na hukumu na adili.
and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.
4
Kuwapa wajinga werevu, na kijana maarifa na hadhari;
To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,
5
mwenye hekima asikie na kuongezewa elimu, na mwenye ufahamu ayafikie mashauri yenye njia.
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
6
Kufahamu mithali na kitendawili, na maneno ya wenye hekima na mafumbo yao.
by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7
Kumcha Bwana ni chanzo cha maarifa, Bali wapumbavu hudharau hekima na adabu.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
8
Mwanangu, yasikilize mafundisho ya baba yako, Wala usiiache sheria ya mama yako,
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.
9
Kwa maana hayo yatakuwa kilemba cha neema kichwani pako, Na mikufu shingoni mwako.
For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck.
10
Mwanangu, wenye dhambi wakikushawishi, Wewe usikubali.
My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.
11
Wakisema, Haya! Njoo pamoja nasi, Na tuvizie ili kumwaga damu; Tumwotee asiye na hatia, bila sababu;
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,
12
Tuwameze hai kama kuzimu, Na wazima, kama wao washukao shimoni.
let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.
13
Tutapata mali yote ya thamani, Tutazijaza nyumba zetu mateka.
We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder.
14
Wewe utashirikiana nasi; Tutakuwa na vitu vyote shirika.
Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”—
15
Mwanangu, usiende njiani pamoja nao; Uzuie mguu wako usiende katika mapito yao.
my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path.
16
Maana miguu yao huenda mbio maovuni, Nao hufanya haraka ili kumwaga damu.
For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.
17
Kwa kuwa mtego hutegwa bure, Mbele ya macho ya ndege ye yote.
How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!
18
Na hao hujiotea damu yao wenyewe, Hujinyemelea nafsi zao wenyewe.
But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives.
19
Ndivyo zilivyo njia za kila mwenye tamaa ya mali; Huuondoa uhai wao walio nayo.
Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.
20
Hekima hupaza sauti yake katika njia kuu, Hutoa sauti yake katika viwanja;
Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square;
21
Hulia penye mikutano mikubwa ya watu, Mahali pa kuyaingilia malango, Ndani ya mji hutamka maneno yake.
in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech:
22
Enyi wajinga, hata lini mtapenda ujinga? Na wenye dharau kupenda dharau yao, Na wapumbavu kuchukia maarifa?
“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
23
Geukeni kwa ajili ya maonyo yangu; Tazama, nitawamwagia roho yangu, Na kuwajulisheni maneno yangu.
If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.
24
Kwa kuwa nimeita, nanyi mkakataa; Nimeunyosha mkono wangu, asiangalie mtu;
Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
25
Bali mmebatilisha shauri langu, Wala hamkutaka maonyo yangu;
because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,
26
Mimi nami nitacheka siku ya msiba wenu, Nitadhihaki hofu yenu ifikapo;
in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,
27
Hofu yenu ifikapo kama tufani, Na msiba wenu ufikapo kama kisulisuli, Dhiki na taabu zitakapowafikia.
when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you.
28
Ndipo watakaponiita, lakini sitaitika; Watanitafuta kwa bidii, wasinione.
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.
29
Kwa kuwa walichukia maarifa, Wala hawakuchagua kumcha Bwana.
For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.
30
Hawakukubali mashauri yangu, Wakayadharau maonyo yangu yote.
They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof.
31
Kwa hiyo watakula matunda ya njia yao, Watashiba mashauri yao wenyewe.
So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32
Maana kurudi nyuma kwao wajinga kutawaua, Na kufanikiwa kwao wapumbavu kutawaangamiza.
For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33
Bali kila anisikilizaye atakaa salama, Naye atatulia bila kuogopa mabaya.
But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”