Mithali 5
1 Mwanangu, sikiliza kwa makini hekima yangu, sikiliza vizuri maneno yangu ya busara,
My son, pay attention to my wisdom, and incline your ear to my prudence,
2 ili uweze kutunza busara na midomo yako ihifadhi maarifa.
so that you may guard your thinking, and so that your lips may preserve discipline. Do not pay attention to the deceit of a woman.
3 Kwa maana midomo ya mwanamke kahaba hudondoza asali, na maneno ya kinywa chake ni laini kuliko mafuta;
For the lips of a loose woman are like a dripping honeycomb, and her voice is smoother than oil.
4 lakini mwisho wake ni mchungu kama nyongo, mkali kama upanga ukatao kuwili.
But in the end, she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Miguu yake hushuka kuelekea kwenye kifo; hatua zake huelekea moja kwa moja kaburini. (Sheol h7585)
Her feet descend into death, and her steps reach even to Hell. (Sheol h7585)
6 Yeye hafikiri juu ya njia ya uzima; njia zake zimepotoka, lakini yeye hajui.
They do not walk along the path of life; her steps are wandering and untraceable.
7 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; msiache ninalowaambia.
Therefore, my son, listen to me now, and do not withdraw from the words of my mouth.
8 Njia zenu ziwe mbali naye, msiende karibu na mlango wa nyumba yake,
Make your way at a distance from her, and do not approach the doors of her house.
9 usije ukatoa nguvu zako nzuri kwa wengine na miaka yako kwa aliye mkatili,
Do not give your honor to foreigners, and your years to the cruel.
10 wageni wasije wakasherehekea utajiri wako na jitihada yako ikatajirisha nyumba ya mwanaume mwingine.
Otherwise, outsiders may be filled with your strength, and your labors may be in a foreign house,
11 Mwishoni mwa maisha yako utalia kwa uchungu, wakati nyama na mwili wako vimechakaa.
and you may mourn in the end, when you will have consumed your flesh and your body. And so you may say:
12 Utasema, “Tazama jinsi gani nilivyochukia adhabu! Tazama jinsi moyo wangu ulivyodharau maonyo!
“Why have I detested discipline, and why has my heart not been quieted by correction?
13 Sikuwatii walimu wangu wala kuwasikiliza wakufunzi wangu.
And why have I not listened to the voice of those who guided me? And why has my ear not inclined to my teachers?
14 Nimefika ukingoni mwa maangamizi kabisa katikati ya kusanyiko lote.”
I have almost been with all evil in the midst of the church and of the assembly.”
15 Kunywa maji kutoka kwenye kisima chako mwenyewe, maji yanayotiririka kutoka kwenye kisima chako mwenyewe.
Drink water from your own cistern and from the springs of your own well.
16 Je, chemchemi zako zifurike katika barabara za mji na vijito vyako vya maji viwanjani?
Let your fountains be diverted far and wide, and divide your waters in the streets.
17 Na viwe vyako mwenyewe, kamwe visishirikishwe wageni.
Hold them for yourself alone, and do not let strangers be partakers with you.
18 Chemchemi yako na ibarikiwe na umfurahie mke wa ujana wako.
Let your spring be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth:
19 Kulungu jike apendaye, kulungu mzuri: matiti yake na yakutosheleze siku zote, nawe utekwe daima na upendo wake.
a beloved doe and most pleasing fawn. Let her breasts inebriate you at all times. Be delighted continually by her love.
20 Kwa nini mwanangu, utekwe na mwanamke kahaba? Kwa nini ukumbatie kifua cha mke wa mwanaume mwingine?
Why are you seduced, my son, by a strange woman, and why are you kept warm by the bosom of another?
21 Kwa maana njia za mtu ni wazi kabisa mbele za Bwana, naye huyapima mapito yake yote.
The Lord beholds the ways of man, and he considers all his steps.
22 Matendo mabaya ya mtu mwovu humnasa yeye mwenyewe; kamba za dhambi yake humkamata kwa nguvu.
His own iniquities take hold of the impious, and he is bound by the cords of his own sins.
23 Atakufa kwa kukosa nidhamu, akipotoshwa kwa upumbavu wake mwenyewe.
He shall die, for he has not held to discipline. And by the multitude of his foolishness, he shall be deceived.
