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 killed her fatlings; She hath mingled her wine; Yea, she hath 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 crieth aloud upon the highest places of the city:
4 Anawaambia wale wasio na akili, “Wote ambao ni wajinga na waje hapa!
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither!” To him that is void of understanding she saith,
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 folly, and live! And go forward in the way of understanding!
7 “Yeyote anayemkosoa mwenye mzaha hukaribisha matukano; yeyote anayekemea mtu mwovu hupatwa na matusi.
“He who correcteth a scoffer Bringeth shame upon himself; And he who rebuketh the wicked Bringeth upon himself a stain.
8 Usimkemee mwenye mzaha la sivyo atakuchukia; mkemee mwenye hekima naye atakupenda.
Rebuke not a scoffer, 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 instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; Teach a righteous man, and he will increase his 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 Most Holy is understanding.
11 Kwa maana kwa msaada wangu siku zako zitakuwa nyingi, na miaka itaongezwa katika maisha yako.
Yea, through 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 art a scoffer, thou alone must bear it.”
13 Mwanamke aitwaye Mpumbavu ana kelele; hana adabu na hana maarifa.
The foolish woman is clamorous; She is very simple, and careth for nothing.
14 Huketi kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, juu ya kiti katika mahali pa juu sana pa mji,
She sitteth at the door of her house, Upon a seat in the high places of the city,
15 akiita wale wapitao karibu, waendao moja kwa moja kwenye njia yao.
To call aloud to those that pass by, Who go straight forward in their ways,
16 Anawaambia wale wasio na akili, “Wote ambao ni wajinga na waje hapa ndani!”
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither!” And to him that is void of understanding she saith,
17 “Maji yaliyoibiwa ni matamu; chakula kinacholiwa sirini ni kitamu!”
“Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
