Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, yatunze maneno yangu na ndani yako udhihifadhi amri zangu.
My son, keep my sayings, and let my rules be stored up with you.
2 Uzilinde amri zangu ili uishi na uyatunzetu mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho.
Keep my rules and you will have life; let my teaching be to you as the light of your eyes;
3 Uyafunge katika vidole vyako; uyaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Let them be fixed to your fingers, and recorded in your heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “wewe ni dada yangu,” na ufahamu mwite jamaa yako,
Say to wisdom, You are my sister; let knowledge be named your special friend:
5 ili ujitunze mwenyewe dhidi ya mwanake haramu, dhidi ya mwanamke mgeni mwenye maneno laini.
So that they may keep you from the strange woman, even from her whose words are smooth.
6 Nilikuwa naangalia kwenye wavu wa dirisha la nyumba yangu.
Looking out from my house, and watching through the window,
7 Nikawatazama watu mwenye ukosefu wa uzoefu, na miongoni mwa watu vijana nikamwona kijana asiye na akili.
I saw among the young men one without sense,
8 Kijana huyo alishuka mtaani kwenye kona karibu na yule mwanamke, akaenda kwenye nyumba yake.
Walking in the street near the turn of her road, going on the way to her house,
9 Ilikuwa katika utusiutusi wa siku muda wa jioni, wakati wa usiku na giza.
At nightfall, in the evening of the day, in the black dark of the night.
10 Akakutana na yule mwanake, amevaa kama kahaba, katika moyo wa udanyanyifu.
And the woman came out to him, in the dress of a loose woman, with a designing heart;
11 Alikuwa na kelele na upotovu; miguu yake haikutulia kwenye masikani.
She is full of noise and uncontrolled; her feet keep not in her house.
12 Alielekea mitaani, kisha sehemu ya sokoni, na katika kila upande alisubiri kwa kuviza.
Now she is in the street, now in the open spaces, waiting at every turning of the road.
13 Basi akamshika na kumbusu, kwa uso wa nguvu akamwambia,
So she took him by his hand, kissing him, and without a sign of shame she said to him:
14 leo nimetoa sadaka yangu ya amani, nimelipa nadhili yangu,
I have a feast of peace-offerings, for today my oaths have been effected.
15 hivyo nilikuja kukutana nawe, kuutafuta uso wako kwa hamu, na sasa nimekupata.
So I came out in the hope of meeting you, looking for you with care, and now I have you.
16 Nimeweka matandiko juu ya kitanda changu, kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
My bed is covered with cushions of needlework, with coloured cloths of the cotton thread of Egypt;
17 Kitanda changu nimenyunyizia manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have made my bed sweet with perfumes and spices.
18 Njoo, tunywe tujishibishe kwa upendo wetu hata asubuhi; tupate furaha kuu kwa matendo ya mahaba.
Come, let us take our pleasure in love till the morning, having joy in love's delights.
19 Maana mume wangu hayupo nyumbani kwake; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For the master of the house is away on a long journey:
20 Alichukua mkoba wa fedha; atarudi siku ya mwezi mpevu.
He has taken a bag of money with him; he is coming back at the full moon.
21 katika maneno yake mengi akamshinda; na kwa midomo yake laini anampotosha.
With her fair words she overcame him, forcing him with her smooth lips.
22 Ghafula alimfuata kama maksai anayekwenda kwa mchinjaji, kama ayala aliyekamatwa kwa nguvu,
The simple man goes after her, like an ox going to its death, like a roe pulled by a cord;
23 mpaka mshale upasue ini lake. Alikuwa kama ndege anayekimbili kwenye mtego. Hakujua kuwa itamgharimu maisha yake.
Like a bird falling into a net; with no thought that his life is in danger, till an arrow goes into his side.
24 Na sasa, wanangu, nisikilizeni; zingatieni maneno ya kinywa changu.
So now, my sons, give ear to me; give attention to the sayings of my mouth;
25 Moyo wako usiyageukie mapito yake; usipotoshwe katika mapito yake.
Let not your heart be turned to her ways, do not go wandering in her footsteps.
26 Amesababisha watu wengi kuanguka kwa kuwajeruhi; ameua watu wengi.
For those wounded and made low by her are great in number; and all those who have come to their death through her are a great army.
