Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keep my commandments and live, and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Bind them upon thy fingers. Write them upon the tablet of thy heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
Say to wisdom, Thou are my sister, and call understanding thy kinswoman,
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
that they may keep thee from the interloping woman, from the stranger who flatters with her words.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice,
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
and I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding
8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke
passing through the street near her corner. And he went the way to her house,
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
And, behold, there met him a woman attired like a harlot, and wily of heart.
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
She is loud and headstrong. Her feet abide not in her house.
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, and lies in wait at every corner.
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him,
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. I have paid my vows this day.
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
Therefore I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
17 Nimetia manukato kitanda changu kwa manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Njoo, tuzame katika mapenzi mpaka asubuhi; tujifurahishe wenyewe kwa mapenzi!
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning. Let us solace ourselves with love.
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For the man is not at home. He has gone a long journey.
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
With her much fair speech she causes him to yield. With the flattering of her lips she forces him along.
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
He goes after her straightaway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
till an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hastens to the snare. And he does not know that it is for his life.
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
Now therefore, ye sons, hearken to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Usiruhusu moyo wako ugeukie njia za huyo mwanamke, wala usitangetange katika mapito yake.
Let not thy heart decline to her ways. Go not astray in her paths.
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
For she has cast down many wounded. Yea, all her slain are a mighty host.
