Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
[My] son, keep my words, and hide with you my commandments. [My] son, honor the Lord, and you shall be strong; and fear none but him:
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
keep my commandments, and you shall live; and [keep] my words as the pupils of [your] eyes.
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
And bind them on your fingers, and write [them] on the table of your heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
Say that wisdom is your sister, and gain prudence as an acquaintance for yourself;
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
that she may keep you from the strange and wicked woman, if she should assail you with flattering words.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
For she looks from a window out of her house into the streets, at one whom she may see of the senseless ones, a young man void of understanding,
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
passing by the corner in the passages near her house,
8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke
and speaking, in the dark of the evening,
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
when there happens [to be] the stillness of night and of darkness:
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
and the woman meets him having the appearance of a harlot, that causes the hearts of young men to flutter.
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
And she is fickle, and debauched, and her feet abide not at home.
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
For at one time she wanders without, and at [another] time she lies in wait in the streets, at every corner.
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
Then she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said to him,
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
I have a peace-offering; today I pay my vows:
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
therefore I came forth to meet you, desiring your face; [and] I have found you.
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have spread my bed with sheets, and I have covered it with double tapestry from Egypt.
17 Nimetia manukato kitanda changu kwa manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, and my house with cinnamon.
18 Njoo, tuzame katika mapenzi mpaka asubuhi; tujifurahishe wenyewe kwa mapenzi!
Come, and let us enjoy love until the morning; come, and let us embrace in love.
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For my husband is not at home, but is gone on a long journey,
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
having taken in his hand a bundle of money: after many days he will return to his house.
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
So with much converse she prevailed on him to go astray, and with the snares of her lips forced him from [the right path].
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
And he followed her, being gently led on, and [that] as an ox is led to the slaughter, and as a dog to bonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow:
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
and he hastens as a bird into a snare, not knowing that he is running for [his] life.
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
Now then, [my] son, 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.
Let not your heart turn aside to her ways:
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
for she has wounded and cast down many, and those whom she has slain are innumerable.
