Mithali 9
1 Hekima amejenga nyumba yake; amechonga nguzo zake saba.
Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
2 Ameandaa nyama na kuchanganya divai yake; pia ameandaa meza yake.
She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
3 Amewatuma watumishi wake wa kike, naye huita kutoka mahali pa juu sana pa mji.
She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
4 Anawaambia wale wasio na akili, “Wote ambao ni wajinga na waje hapa!
Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
5 Njooni, mle chakula changu na mnywe divai niliyoichanganya.
Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Acheni njia zenu za ujinga nanyi mtaishi; tembeeni katika njia ya ufahamu.
Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
7 “Yeyote anayemkosoa mwenye mzaha hukaribisha matukano; yeyote anayekemea mtu mwovu hupatwa na matusi.
He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
8 Usimkemee mwenye mzaha la sivyo atakuchukia; mkemee mwenye hekima naye atakupenda.
Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Mfundishe mtu mwenye hekima naye atakuwa na hekima zaidi; mfundishe mtu mwadilifu naye atazidi kufundishika.
Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.
10 “Kumcha Bwana ndicho chanzo cha hekima, na kumjua Aliye Mtakatifu ni ufahamu.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
11 Kwa maana kwa msaada wangu siku zako zitakuwa nyingi, na miaka itaongezwa katika maisha yako.
For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
12 Kama wewe una hekima, hekima yako itakupa tuzo; kama wewe ni mtu wa mzaha, wewe mwenyewe ndiwe utateseka.”
If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
13 Mwanamke aitwaye Mpumbavu ana kelele; hana adabu na hana maarifa.
A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
14 Huketi kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, juu ya kiti katika mahali pa juu sana pa mji,
Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 akiita wale wapitao karibu, waendao moja kwa moja kwenye njia yao.
To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
16 Anawaambia wale wasio na akili, “Wote ambao ni wajinga na waje hapa ndani!”
He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
17 “Maji yaliyoibiwa ni matamu; chakula kinacholiwa sirini ni kitamu!”
Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.
