Mithali 9
1 Hekima amejenga nyumba yake; amechonga nguzo zake saba.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 Ameandaa nyama na kuchanganya divai yake; pia ameandaa meza yake.
She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 Amewatuma watumishi wake wa kike, naye huita kutoka mahali pa juu sana pa mji.
She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, upon the highest places of the city:
4 Anawaambia wale wasio na akili, “Wote ambao ni wajinga na waje hapa!
'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
5 Njooni, mle chakula changu na mnywe divai niliyoichanganya.
'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Acheni njia zenu za ujinga nanyi mtaishi; tembeeni katika njia ya ufahamu.
Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
7 “Yeyote anayemkosoa mwenye mzaha hukaribisha matukano; yeyote anayekemea mtu mwovu hupatwa na matusi.
He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, and he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.
8 Usimkemee mwenye mzaha la sivyo atakuchukia; mkemee mwenye hekima naye atakupenda.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove 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 to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
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 All-holy is understanding.
11 Kwa maana kwa msaada wangu siku zako zitakuwa nyingi, na miaka itaongezwa katika maisha yako.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 Kama wewe una hekima, hekima yako itakupa tuzo; kama wewe ni mtu wa mzaha, wewe mwenyewe ndiwe utateseka.”
If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'
13 Mwanamke aitwaye Mpumbavu ana kelele; hana adabu na hana maarifa.
The woman Folly is riotous; she is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.
14 Huketi kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, juu ya kiti katika mahali pa juu sana pa mji,
And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 akiita wale wapitao karibu, waendao moja kwa moja kwenye njia yao.
To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways:
16 Anawaambia wale wasio na akili, “Wote ambao ni wajinga na waje hapa ndani!”
'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:
17 “Maji yaliyoibiwa ni matamu; chakula kinacholiwa sirini ni kitamu!”
'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'
