Izaga 7
1 Ndodana yami, agcine amazwi ami ulondoloze imilayo yami ngaphakathi kwakho.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my precepts with thee. Son,
2 Gcina imilayo yami ukuze uphile; ulinde imfundiso yami njengegugu lakho elikhulu.
Keep my commandments, and thou shalt live: and my law as the apple of thy eye:
3 Ibophele eminweni yakho; uyilobe enhliziyweni yakho.
Bind it upon thy fingers, write it upon the tables of thy heart.
4 Tshela ukuhlakanipha uthi, “Ungudadewethu wena,” uthi ukuqedisisa kuyisihlobo sakho;
Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence thy friend,
5 lezizinto zizakuvikela emfazini oyisifebe, lakumkakho ongelambeko ngamazwi akhe adukisayo.
That she may keep thee from the woman that is not thine, and from the stranger who sweeteneth her words.
6 Ngema ewindini lendlu yami ngalunguza ngesikhala.
For I look out of the window of my house through the lattice,
7 Ngabona phakathi kwabayizithutha, ngananzelela phakathi kwamajaha ngabona ijaha elingelangqondo.
And I see little ones, I behold a foolish young man,
8 Lalisehla ngomgwaqo liseduze lejiko, liqonda endlini yowesifazane
Who passeth through the street by the corner, and goeth nigh the way of her house.
9 ntambama sekunqunda amehlo, umnyama wobusuku usujiya.
In the dark, when it grows late, in the darkness and obscurity of the night,
10 Khonokho nje kwaqhamuka owesifazane elihlangabeza egqoke okwesifebe ngoba eqophile.
And behold a woman meeteth him in harlot’s attire prepared to deceive souls; talkative and wandering,
11 (Umfazi lowo, ngumuntu womsindo uyisiqholo, inyawo zakhe kazihlali phansi;
Not bearing to be quiet, not able to abide still at home,
12 khathesi nangu emgwaqweni, njalo nangu enkundleni, utshobatshoba izindawana zonke.)
Now abroad, now in the streets, now lying in wait near the corners.
13 Wafika waligona lelijaha walanga wakhuluma engelanhloni wathi:
And catching the young man, she kisseth him, and with an impudent face, flattereth, saying:
14 “Ngenzile umnikelo wobudlelwano ngekhaya; lamuhla ngizigcwalisile izifungo zami.
I vowed victims for prosperity, this day I have paid my vows.
15 Yikho ngilapha ukukuhlangabeza; sengikudinge ngaze ngakuthola!
Therefore I am come out to meet thee, desirous to see thee, and I have found thee.
16 Sengiwendlele umbheda wami ngamalineni eGibhithe awemibalabala.
I have woven my bed with cords, I have covered it with painted tapestry, brought from Egypt.
17 Sengiwuqholile umbheda wami ngemure, ngenhlaba langesinamoni.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Woza sizitike ngothando kuze kuse; kasizijabulise ngothando!
Come, let us be inebriated with the breasts, and let us enjoy the desired embraces, till the day appear.
19 Indoda yami kayikho ekhaya; ihambile iye khatshana.
For my husband is not at home, he is gone a very long journey.
20 Ithwele isikhwama sayo sigcwele imali, ngakho kayibuyi kuze kube phakathi kwenyanga.”
He took with him a bag of money: he mill return home the day of the full moon.
21 Ngamazwi akhe amnandi waledukisa ijaha lelo; walihuga ijaha lelo ngolimi olumnandi.
She entangled him with many words, and drew him away with the flattery of her lips.
22 Khonokho nje lahle lamlandela njengenkabi idonselwa ukuyabulawa, njengomziki uzingenisa emjibileni,
Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a victim, and as a lamb playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawn like a fool to bonds,
23 umtshoko uze uyehlaba isibindi, njengenyoni ithothela ngaphansi kwesifu, ingaboni ukuthi isizingenise ekufeni.
Till the arrow pierce his liver: as if a bird should make haste to the snare, and knoweth not that his life is in danger.
24 Ngakho-ke madodana ami, ngilalelani; zwanini lokhu engikutshoyo.
Now therefore, my son, hear me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Lingayivumeli inhliziyo ikhangwe yizindlela zakhe, langabe iphumputhekele emikhubeni yakhe.
Let not thy mind be drawn away in her ways: neither be thou deceived with her paths.
26 Banengi labo asebadilizile; izinkubela zakhe zilucaca olwesabekayo.
For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have been slain by her.
