Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My son, heed my advice, and guard my instructions [as you would] [MET] [guard] a treasure.
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Obey my commands, and [as a result you will] live [a good life]. Consider the things that I teach you [to be very precious]; guard them, [just] like you protect your eyes.
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Tie my commands around your fingers [in order that they will remind you to obey them]. Always keep them in mind [MET].
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
[Love] wisdom [like you love] your sister. Understand what is wise, [and let that be as dear to you as] members of your family.
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
If you are wise and if you understand what is wise [PRS], you will not [sleep with] an immoral woman; you will not listen to a woman who tries to entice you [to sleep with her] by what she says.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
One day, I was standing at the window inside my house, and I looked outside.
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
I saw some young men who did not have good sense. Among them was a man who was very foolish.
8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke
He crossed the street near [the house of] an immoral woman. He was walking along the path toward her house
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
at twilight, when it was getting dark [DOU].
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
Suddenly the woman came out to see/meet him. She was dressed (seductively/like a prostitute), wanting to persuade him to sleep with her.
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
She was a loud talker, one who was rebellious; she [SYN] never stayed at home.
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
She often went into the city streets and plazas/markets, waiting to trap some man.
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
[When she saw that young man], she put her arms around him and kissed him. Then without being a bit ashamed, she said,
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
“I have [some meat that is left over from] a sacrifice that I made today [to maintain fellowship with Yahweh]; I have fulfilled/done what I promised him that I would do.
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
And now I have come out to meet/see you. I was searching for you, and [now] I have found you!
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have put on my bed sheets/bedspreads that were made from [very fine] linen [that were imported] {[people brought]} from Egypt.
17 Nimetia manukato kitanda changu kwa manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have sprinkled [sweet-smelling] perfumes on my bed— myrrh and aloes and cinnamon.
18 Njoo, tuzame katika mapenzi mpaka asubuhi; tujifurahishe wenyewe kwa mapenzi!
Come [with me]; let us enjoy having sex until [tomorrow] morning. Let’s enjoy making love.
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
My husband is not at home; he has gone away on a long journey.
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
He is carrying a wallet filled with money, and he will not return until the middle of this month.”
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
[So] she persuaded him by [her] enticing/tempting words. She allured him by her smooth/sweet talk.
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
[And] he went with her immediately, like an ox that was going to where it would be slaughtered, or like a deer (OR, a fool) that is stepping into a noose/trap,
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
where it will remain/stay until someone shoots an arrow into its liver [and kills it]. [He was] like a bird that flew into a trap. He did not know that (it would cost him his life/he would die as a result).
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
My son, listen to what I say; pay [careful] attention to my words.
25 Usiruhusu moyo wako ugeukie njia za huyo mwanamke, wala usitangetange katika mapito yake.
Do not allow anything to arouse/persuade you to go with an immoral woman like that. Do not go where she goes.
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
She has caused many men to be ruined; truly, no one can count the men she has killed.
