Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,
8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke
crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.
17 Nimetia manukato kitanda changu kwa manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.
18 Njoo, tuzame katika mapenzi mpaka asubuhi; tujifurahishe wenyewe kwa mapenzi!
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life.
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Usiruhusu moyo wako ugeukie njia za huyo mwanamke, wala usitangetange katika mapito yake.
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths.
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.
