Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, yatunze maneno yangu na ndani yako udhihifadhi amri zangu.
[My] son, keep my words, and hide with you my commandments. [My] son, honor the Lord, and you shall be strong; and fear none but him:
2 Uzilinde amri zangu ili uishi na uyatunzetu mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho.
keep my commandments, and you shall live; and [keep] my words as the pupils of [your] eyes.
3 Uyafunge katika vidole vyako; uyaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
And bind them on your fingers, and write [them] on the table of your heart.
4 Mwambie hekima, “wewe ni dada yangu,” na ufahamu mwite jamaa yako,
Say that wisdom is your sister, and gain prudence as an acquaintance for yourself;
5 ili ujitunze mwenyewe dhidi ya mwanake haramu, dhidi ya mwanamke mgeni mwenye maneno laini.
that she may keep you from the strange and wicked woman, if she should assail you with flattering words.
6 Nilikuwa naangalia kwenye wavu wa dirisha la nyumba yangu.
For she looks from a window out of her house into the streets, at one whom she may see of the senseless ones, a young man void of understanding,
7 Nikawatazama watu mwenye ukosefu wa uzoefu, na miongoni mwa watu vijana nikamwona kijana asiye na akili.
passing by the corner in the passages near her house,
8 Kijana huyo alishuka mtaani kwenye kona karibu na yule mwanamke, akaenda kwenye nyumba yake.
and speaking, in the dark of the evening,
9 Ilikuwa katika utusiutusi wa siku muda wa jioni, wakati wa usiku na giza.
when there happens [to be] the stillness of night and of darkness:
10 Akakutana na yule mwanake, amevaa kama kahaba, katika moyo wa udanyanyifu.
and the woman meets him having the appearance of a harlot, that causes the hearts of young men to flutter.
11 Alikuwa na kelele na upotovu; miguu yake haikutulia kwenye masikani.
And she is fickle, and debauched, and her feet abide not at home.
12 Alielekea mitaani, kisha sehemu ya sokoni, na katika kila upande alisubiri kwa kuviza.
For at one time she wanders without, and at [another] time she lies in wait in the streets, at every corner.
13 Basi akamshika na kumbusu, kwa uso wa nguvu akamwambia,
Then she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said to him,
14 leo nimetoa sadaka yangu ya amani, nimelipa nadhili yangu,
I have a peace-offering; today I pay my vows:
15 hivyo nilikuja kukutana nawe, kuutafuta uso wako kwa hamu, na sasa nimekupata.
therefore I came forth to meet you, desiring your face; [and] I have found you.
16 Nimeweka matandiko juu ya kitanda changu, kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have spread my bed with sheets, and I have covered it with double tapestry from Egypt.
17 Kitanda changu nimenyunyizia manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, and my house with cinnamon.
18 Njoo, tunywe tujishibishe kwa upendo wetu hata asubuhi; tupate furaha kuu kwa matendo ya mahaba.
Come, and let us enjoy love until the morning; come, and let us embrace in love.
19 Maana mume wangu hayupo nyumbani kwake; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For my husband is not at home, but is gone on a long journey,
20 Alichukua mkoba wa fedha; atarudi siku ya mwezi mpevu.
having taken in his hand a bundle of money: after many days he will return to his house.
21 katika maneno yake mengi akamshinda; na kwa midomo yake laini anampotosha.
So with much converse she prevailed on him to go astray, and with the snares of her lips forced him from [the right path].
22 Ghafula alimfuata kama maksai anayekwenda kwa mchinjaji, kama ayala aliyekamatwa kwa nguvu,
And he followed her, being gently led on, and [that] as an ox is led to the slaughter, and as a dog to bonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow:
23 mpaka mshale upasue ini lake. Alikuwa kama ndege anayekimbili kwenye mtego. Hakujua kuwa itamgharimu maisha yake.
and he hastens as a bird into a snare, not knowing that he is running for [his] life.
24 Na sasa, wanangu, nisikilizeni; zingatieni maneno ya kinywa changu.
Now then, [my] son, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Moyo wako usiyageukie mapito yake; usipotoshwe katika mapito yake.
Let not your heart turn aside to her ways:
26 Amesababisha watu wengi kuanguka kwa kuwajeruhi; ameua watu wengi.
for she has wounded and cast down many, and those whom she has slain are innumerable.
