Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My son, keep my sayings, and, my commandments, treasure by thee;
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keep my commandments and live, and mine instruction, as the pupil of thine eye;
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them, on the tablet of thy heart;
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
Say unto wisdom, My sister, thou! and, an acquaintance, call thou, understanding:
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
That thou mayest be kept, from the woman that is a stranger, from the female unknown, who, with her speeches, doth flatter.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
For, in the window of my house, through my lattice, I looked out;
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
And saw among the simple ones, discerned among the youths, A young man lacking sense;
8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke
Passing through the street, near her corner, and, on the way to her house, he sauntered along;
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
In the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the midst of the night, and the gloom;
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
And lo! a woman, came to meet him, attired as one unchaste, of a wily heart.
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
Boisterous, is she, and rebellious, In her house, abide not her feet;
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
Now outside, now in the broadways, and, near every corner, she lieth in wait:
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
So she caught him, and kissed him, and, embolding her face, she said to him:
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
Peace-offerings, are by me, to-day, have I paid my vows;
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
For this cause, came I forth to meet thee, to seek diligently thy face, and I have found thee:
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
Coverlets, have I spread on my couch of pleasure, dark-hued stuffs, of the yarn 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 endearments, until morning, let us delight ourselves with caresses;
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For the husband is not in his house, he hath gone on a journey afar;
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
A bag of silver, hath he taken in his hand, On the day of the full moon, will he enter his house.
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
She turneth him aside, with her great persuasiveness, —with the flattery of her lips, she compelleth him:
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
Going after her instantly, as an ox, to the slaughter, he entereth, and, as in fetters, unto the correction of a fool.
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
Until an arrow cleaveth his liver, as a bird hasteth into a snare, and knoweth not, that, for his life, it is!
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
Now, therefore, ye sons, hearken unto me, and attend, to the sayings 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, Do not go astray, in her paths.
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
For, many, wounded, hath she caused to fall, —yea strong men, slain wholly by her:
