Proverbs 3

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

1 Mwanangu, usisahau mafundisho yangu, bali zitunze amri zangu moyoni mwako,

2 for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

2 kwa kuwa zitakuongezea miaka mingi ya maisha yako na kukuletea mafanikio.

3 Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

3 Usiache kamwe upendo na uaminifu vitengane nawe; vifunge shingoni mwako, viandike katika ubao wa moyo wako.

4 Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.

4 Ndipo utapata kibali na jina zuri mbele za Mungu na mwanadamu.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

5 Mtumaini Bwana kwa moyo wako wote wala usizitegemee akili zako mwenyewe;

6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

6 katika njia zako zote mkiri yeye, naye atayanyoosha mapito yako.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

7 Usiwe mwenye hekima machoni pako mwenyewe; mche Bwana ukajiepushe na uovu.

8 This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

8 Hii itakuletea afya mwilini mwako, na mafuta kwenye mifupa yako.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops;

9 Mheshimu Bwana kwa mali zako na kwa malimbuko ya mazao yako yote;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

10 ndipo ghala zako zitakapojaa hadi kufurika, viriba vyako vitafurika kwa mvinyo mpya.

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;

11 Mwanangu, usiidharau adhabu ya Bwana na usichukie kukaripiwa naye,

12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

12 kwa sababu Bwana huwaadibisha wale awapendao, kama vile baba afanyavyo kwa mwana apendezwaye naye.

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,

13 Heri mtu yule aonaye hekima, mtu yule apataye ufahamu,

14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.

14 kwa maana hekima ana faida kuliko fedha na mapato yake ni bora kuliko ya dhahabu safi.

15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

15 Hekima ana thamani kuliko marijani; hakuna chochote unachokitamani kinachoweza kulinganishwa naye.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

16 Maisha marefu yako katika mkono wake wa kuume; katika mkono wake wa kushoto kuna utajiri na heshima.

17 All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.

17 Njia zake zinapendeza, mapito yake yote ni amani.

18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

18 Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwa wale wanaomkumbatia; wale wamshikao watabarikiwa.

19 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.

19 Kwa hekima Bwana aliiweka misingi ya dunia, kwa ufahamu aliziweka mbingu mahali pake;

20 By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.

20 kwa maarifa yake vilindi viligawanywa, nayo mawingu yanadondosha umande.

21 My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.

21 Mwanangu, hifadhi maamuzi mema na busara, usiache vitoke machoni pako;

22 They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.

22 ndipo vitakapokuwa uzima nafsini mwako na pambo la neema shingoni mwako.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.

23 Kisha utaenda katika njia yako salama, wala mguu wako hautajikwaa;

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

24 ulalapo, hautaogopa; ulalapo usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.

25 Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

25 Usiogope maafa ya ghafula au maangamizi yanayowapata waovu,

26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.

26 kwa kuwa Bwana atakuwa tumaini lako na kuepusha mguu wako kunaswa katika mtego.

27 Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.

27 Usizuie wema kwa wale wanaostahili ikiwa katika uwezo wako kutenda.

28 Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means.

28 Usimwambie jirani yako, “Njoo baadaye, nitakupa kesho”: wakati wewe unacho kitu kile karibu nawe.

29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.

29 Usifanye hila ya kumdhuru jirani yako, ambaye anaishi karibu na wewe akikuamini.

30 Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.

30 Usimshtaki mtu bila sababu, wakati hajakutenda dhara lolote.

31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;

31 Usimwonee wivu mtu mwenye jeuri wala kuchagua njia yake iwayo yote,

32 for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.

32 kwa kuwa Bwana humchukia mtu mpotovu, lakini siri yake iko kwa mwenye haki.

33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.

33 Laana ya Bwana i juu ya nyumba ya mwovu, lakini yeye huibariki nyumba ya mwenye haki.

34 He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.

34 Huwadhihaki wale wanaodhihaki, lakini huwapa neema wale wanyenyekevu.

35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.

35 Wenye hekima hurithi heshima, bali huwaaibisha wapumbavu.