Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My sonne, keepe my wordes, and hide my commandements with thee.
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keepe my commandements, and thou shalt liue, and mine instruction as the apple of thine eyes.
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Binde them vpon thy fingers, and write them vpon the table of thine heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
Say vnto wisedome, Thou art my sister: and call vnderstanding thy kinswoman,
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
That they may keepe thee from the strange woman, euen from the stranger that is smoothe in her wordes.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
As I was in the window of mine house, I looked through my windowe,
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
And I sawe among the fooles, and considered among the children a yong man destitute of vnderstanding,
8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke
Who passed through the streete by her corner, and went toward her house,
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
In the twilight in the euening, when the night began to be blacke and darke.
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
And beholde, there met him a woman with an harlots behauiour, and subtill in heart.
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
(She is babling and loud: whose feete can not abide in her house.
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
Nowe she is without, nowe in the streetes, and lyeth in waite at euery corner)
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
So she caught him and kissed him and with an impudent face said vnto him,
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
I haue peace offerings: this day haue I payed my vowes.
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
Therefore came I forth to meete thee, that I might seeke thy face: and I haue found thee.
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I haue deckt my bed with ornaments, carpets and laces of Egypt.
17 Nimetia manukato kitanda changu kwa manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I haue perfumed my bedde with myrrhe, aloes, and cynamom.
18 Njoo, tuzame katika mapenzi mpaka asubuhi; tujifurahishe wenyewe kwa mapenzi!
Come, let vs take our fill of loue vntill the morning: let vs take our pleasure in daliance.
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For mine husband is not at home: he is gone a iourney farre off.
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
He hath taken with him a bagge of siluer, and will come home at the day appointed.
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
Thus with her great craft she caused him to yeelde, and with her flattering lips she entised him.
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
And he followed her straight wayes, as an oxe that goeth to the slaughter, and as a foole to the stockes for correction,
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
Till a dart strike through his liuer, as a bird hasteth to the snare, not knowing that he is in danger.
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
Heare me now therefore, O children, and hearken to the wordes of my mouth.
25 Usiruhusu moyo wako ugeukie njia za huyo mwanamke, wala usitangetange katika mapito yake.
Let not thine heart decline to her wayes: wander thou not in her paths.
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
For shee hath caused many to fall downe wounded, and the strong men are all slaine by her.
