Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.
My son! keep my sayings, And my commands lay up with thee.
2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keep my commands, and live, And my law as the pupil of thine eye.
3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Bind them on thy fingers, Write them on the tablet of thy heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;
Say to wisdom, 'My sister Thou [art].' And cry to understanding, 'Kinswoman!'
5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.
To preserve thee from a strange woman, From a stranger who hath made smooth her sayings.
6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.
For, at a window of my house, Through my casement I have looked out,
7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.
And I do see among the simple ones, I discern among the sons, A young man lacking understanding,
8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke
Passing on in the street, near her corner, And the way [to] her house he doth step,
9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.
In the twilight — in the evening of day, In the darkness of night and blackness.
10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.
And, lo, a woman to meet him — (A harlot's dress, and watchful of heart,
11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;
Noisy she [is], and stubborn, In her house her feet rest not.
12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)
Now in an out-place, now in broad places, And near every corner she lieth in wait) —
13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:
And she laid hold on him, and kissed him, She hath hardened her face, and saith to him,
14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.
'Sacrifices of peace-offerings [are] by me, To-day I have completed my vows.
15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!
Therefore I have come forth to meet thee, To seek earnestly thy face, and I find thee.
16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
[With] ornamental coverings I decked my couch, Carved works — cotton of Egypt.
17 Nimetia manukato kitanda changu kwa manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I sprinkled my bed — myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Njoo, tuzame katika mapenzi mpaka asubuhi; tujifurahishe wenyewe kwa mapenzi!
Come, we are filled [with] loves till the morning, We delight ourselves in loves.
19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For the man is not in his house, He hath gone on a long journey.
20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”
A bag of money he hath taken in his hand, At the day of the new moon he cometh to his house.'
21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.
She turneth him aside with the abundance of her speech, With the flattery of her lips she forceth him.
22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,
He is going after her straightway, As an ox unto the slaughter he cometh, And as a fetter unto the chastisement of a fool,
23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.
Till an arrow doth split his liver, As a bird hath hastened unto a snare, And hath not known that it [is] for its life.
24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.
And now, ye sons, hearken to me, And give attention to sayings of my mouth.
25 Usiruhusu moyo wako ugeukie njia za huyo mwanamke, wala usitangetange katika mapito yake.
Let not thy heart turn unto her ways, Do not wander in her paths,
26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.
For many [are] the wounded she caused to fall, And mighty [are] all her slain ones.
