Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, yatunze maneno yangu na ndani yako udhihifadhi amri zangu.
My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
2 Uzilinde amri zangu ili uishi na uyatunzetu mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho.
Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Uyafunge katika vidole vyako; uyaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “wewe ni dada yangu,” na ufahamu mwite jamaa yako,
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
5 ili ujitunze mwenyewe dhidi ya mwanake haramu, dhidi ya mwanamke mgeni mwenye maneno laini.
that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
6 Nilikuwa naangalia kwenye wavu wa dirisha la nyumba yangu.
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.
7 Nikawatazama watu mwenye ukosefu wa uzoefu, na miongoni mwa watu vijana nikamwona kijana asiye na akili.
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,
8 Kijana huyo alishuka mtaani kwenye kona karibu na yule mwanamke, akaenda kwenye nyumba yake.
crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,
9 Ilikuwa katika utusiutusi wa siku muda wa jioni, wakati wa usiku na giza.
at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.
10 Akakutana na yule mwanake, amevaa kama kahaba, katika moyo wa udanyanyifu.
Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.
11 Alikuwa na kelele na upotovu; miguu yake haikutulia kwenye masikani.
She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.
12 Alielekea mitaani, kisha sehemu ya sokoni, na katika kila upande alisubiri kwa kuviza.
Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.
13 Basi akamshika na kumbusu, kwa uso wa nguvu akamwambia,
She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:
14 leo nimetoa sadaka yangu ya amani, nimelipa nadhili yangu,
“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.
15 hivyo nilikuja kukutana nawe, kuutafuta uso wako kwa hamu, na sasa nimekupata.
So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.
16 Nimeweka matandiko juu ya kitanda changu, kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.
17 Kitanda changu nimenyunyizia manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.
18 Njoo, tunywe tujishibishe kwa upendo wetu hata asubuhi; tupate furaha kuu kwa matendo ya mahaba.
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!
19 Maana mume wangu hayupo nyumbani kwake; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
20 Alichukua mkoba wa fedha; atarudi siku ya mwezi mpevu.
He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”
21 katika maneno yake mengi akamshinda; na kwa midomo yake laini anampotosha.
With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
22 Ghafula alimfuata kama maksai anayekwenda kwa mchinjaji, kama ayala aliyekamatwa kwa nguvu,
He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,
23 mpaka mshale upasue ini lake. Alikuwa kama ndege anayekimbili kwenye mtego. Hakujua kuwa itamgharimu maisha yake.
until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life.
24 Na sasa, wanangu, nisikilizeni; zingatieni maneno ya kinywa changu.
Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Moyo wako usiyageukie mapito yake; usipotoshwe katika mapito yake.
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths.
26 Amesababisha watu wengi kuanguka kwa kuwajeruhi; ameua watu wengi.
For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.
