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Sikieni haya, enyi mataifa yote; Sikilizeni, ninyi nyote mnaokaa duniani.
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
2
Watu wakuu na watu wadogo wote pia, Tajiri na maskini wote pamoja.
both low and high, rich and poor alike.
3
Kinywa changu kitanena hekima, Na fikira za moyo wangu zitakuwa za busara.
My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
4
Nitatega sikio langu nisikie mithali, Na kufumbua fumbo langu kwa kinubi
I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
5
Kwa nini niogope siku za uovu, Ubaya ukinizunguka miguuni pangu?
Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?
6
Wa hao wanaozitumainia mali zao, Na kujisifia wingi wa utajiri wao;
They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.
7
Hakuna mtu awezaye kumkomboa ndugu yake, Wala kumpa Mungu fidia kwa ajili yake,
No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
8
(Maana fidia ya nafsi zao ina gharama, Wala hana budi kuiacha hata milele;)
For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,
9
ili aishi sikuzote asilione kaburi.
that he should live on forever and not see decay.
10
Naam, ataliona, hata wenye hekima hufa; Mpumbavu na mjinga hupotea pamoja, Na kuwaachia wengine mali zao.
For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.
11
Makaburi ni nyumba zao hata milele, Maskani zao vizazi hata vizazi. Hao waliotaja mashamba yao Kwa majina yao wenyewe.
Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes.
12
Lakini mwanadamu hadumu katika heshima, Bali amefanana na wanyama wapoteao.
But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.
13
Hiyo ndiyo njia yao, ujinga wao, Nao walioko baada yao huyaridhia maneno yao.
This is the fate of the foolish and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah
14
Kama kondoo wamewekwa kwenda kuzimu, Na mauti itawachunga; Watu wanyofu watawamiliki asubuhi; Umbo lao litachakaa, kao lao ni kuzimu.
Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode.
15
Bali Mungu atanikomboa nafsi yangu, Atanitoa mkononi mwa kuzimu, maana atanikaribisha.
But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah
16
Usiogope mtu atakapopata utajiri, Na fahari ya nyumba yake itakapozidi.
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases.
17
Maana atakapokufa hatachukua cho chote; Utukufu wake hautashuka ukimfuata.
For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.
18
Ajapojibariki nafsi yake alipokuwa hai, Na watu watakusifu ukijitendea mema,
Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—and men praise you when you prosper—
19
Atakwenda kwenye kizazi cha baba zake Hawataona nuru hata milele.
he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day.
20
Mwanadamu mwenye heshima, iwapo hana akili, Amefanana na wanyama wapoteao.
A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Chagua Sura
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