Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my precepts with thee. Son,
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keep my commandments, and thou shalt live: and my law as the apple of thy eye:
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Bind it upon thy fingers, write it upon the tables of thy heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence thy friend,
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
That she may keep thee from the woman that is not thine, and from the stranger who sweeteneth her words.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
For I look out of the window of my house through the lattice,
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
And I see little ones, I behold a foolish young man,
8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke
Who passeth through the street by the corner, and goeth nigh the way of her house.
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
In the dark, when it grows late, in the darkness and obscurity of the night,
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
And behold a woman meeteth him in harlot’s attire prepared to deceive souls; talkative and wandering,
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
Not bearing to be quiet, not able to abide still at home,
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
Now abroad, now in the streets, now lying in wait near the corners.
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
And catching the young man, she kisseth him, and with an impudent face, flattereth, saying:
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
I vowed victims for prosperity, this day I have paid my vows.
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
Therefore I am come out to meet thee, desirous to see thee, and I have found thee.
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have woven my bed with cords, I have covered it with painted tapestry, brought from 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 be inebriated with the breasts, and let us enjoy the desired embraces, till the day appear.
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For my husband is not at home, he is gone a very long journey.
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
He took with him a bag of money: he mill return home the day of the full moon.
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
She entangled him with many words, and drew him away with the flattery of her lips.
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
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 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
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 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
Now therefore, my son, hear 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 mind be drawn away in her ways: neither be thou deceived with her paths.
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have been slain by her.
