Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My son, keep my words, And treasure up my commandments with thee!
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keep my commandments and live! Yea, my teaching, 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 unto wisdom, “Thou art my sister!” And call understanding thy near acquaintance;
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
That they may keep thee from the wife of another, From the stranger, that useth smooth words.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
For through the window of my house, Through the lattice I was looking forth,
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
And I saw 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
He was passing through the street near her corner, And was going the way to her house,
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
At twilight, in the evening, At midnight, yea, in the thick darkness.
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
And, behold, a woman met him, In the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart, —
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
One noisy and unruly, Whose feet abide not in her house;
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
Who is now in the streets, now in the broad places, And lurketh near every corner.
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
She caught hold of him and kissed him, And with a shameless face said to him,
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
“Thank-offerings have been upon me, And this day have I performed my vows;
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
Therefore came I 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 bed with coverlets, With tapestry of the thread of Egypt.
17 Nimetia manukato kitanda changu kwa manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have sprinkled 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 caresses.
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For the good-man is not at home; He is gone a long journey;
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
He hath taken a purse of money with him; At the day of the full moon he will return.”
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
By her much fair speech she seduced him; By the smoothness of her lips she drew him away.
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the chastisement of the fool,
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
Till an arrow strike through his liver; —As a bird hasteneth into the snare, And knoweth not that it is laid for its life.
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
Now, therefore, ye children, 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 turn aside to her ways; Go not astray in her paths!
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
For many are the wounded which she hath cast down; Yea, countless is the number of those slain by her.
