Mithali 9
1 Hekima amejenga nyumba yake; amechonga nguzo zake saba.
Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 Ameandaa nyama na kuchanganya divai yake; pia ameandaa meza yake.
She hath killed her beasts; 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 crieth 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: [as for] him that wanteth 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 the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 “Yeyote anayemkosoa mwenye mzaha hukaribisha matukano; yeyote anayekemea mtu mwovu hupatwa na matusi.
He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.
8 Usimkemee mwenye mzaha la sivyo atakuchukia; mkemee mwenye hekima naye atakupenda.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall 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 just [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 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 shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].
13 Mwanamke aitwaye Mpumbavu ana kelele; hana adabu na hana maarifa.
A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 Huketi kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, juu ya kiti katika mahali pa juu sana pa mji,
For 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 passengers who go right on 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 [as for] him that wanteth 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.
