Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My son, keep my words. Lay up my mitzvot ·instructions· within you.
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Obey my mitzvot ·instructions· and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye.
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
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
passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house,
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent.
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house.
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner.
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
“Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows.
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you.
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt [Abode of slavery].
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’s take our fill of dod ·loving· until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving.
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 has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.”
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hurries to the snare, and does not know that it will cost his life.
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
Now therefore, sons, sh'ma ·hear obey· me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Usiruhusu moyo wako ugeukie njia za huyo mwanamke, wala usitangetange katika mapito yake.
Don’t let your heart turn to her ways. Don’t go astray in her paths,
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army.
