Mithali 7
1 Mwanangu, yatunze maneno yangu na ndani yako udhihifadhi amri zangu.
My son, keep my words and store up my commands within yourself.
2 Uzilinde amri zangu ili uishi na uyatunzetu mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho.
Keep my commands and live and keep my instruction as the apple of your eye.
3 Uyafunge katika vidole vyako; uyaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.
Tie them on 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.
in order to keep yourself from the adulterous woman, from the immoral woman with her smooth words.
6 Nilikuwa naangalia kwenye wavu wa dirisha la nyumba yangu.
At the window of my house I was looking out through the lattice.
7 Nikawatazama watu mwenye ukosefu wa uzoefu, na miongoni mwa watu vijana nikamwona kijana asiye na akili.
I looked at the naive people, and I noticed among the young men a youth who had no sense.
8 Kijana huyo alishuka mtaani kwenye kona karibu na yule mwanamke, akaenda kwenye nyumba yake.
That young man passed down the street near her corner, and he went toward her house.
9 Ilikuwa katika utusiutusi wa siku muda wa jioni, wakati wa usiku na giza.
It was twilight, in the evening of the day, at the time of night and darkness.
10 Akakutana na yule mwanake, amevaa kama kahaba, katika moyo wa udanyanyifu.
There a woman met him, dressed like a prostitute, with a false heart.
11 Alikuwa na kelele na upotovu; miguu yake haikutulia kwenye masikani.
She was loud and wayward; her feet did not stay at home.
12 Alielekea mitaani, kisha sehemu ya sokoni, na katika kila upande alisubiri kwa kuviza.
Now in the streets, then in the market place, and at every corner she waited in ambush.
13 Basi akamshika na kumbusu, kwa uso wa nguvu akamwambia,
So she grabbed him and kissed him, with a strong face she said to him,
14 leo nimetoa sadaka yangu ya amani, nimelipa nadhili yangu,
“I made my peace offering today, I paid my vows,
15 hivyo nilikuja kukutana nawe, kuutafuta uso wako kwa hamu, na sasa nimekupata.
so came I out to meet you, to eagerly seek your face, and I have found you.
16 Nimeweka matandiko juu ya kitanda changu, kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.
I have spread coverings on my bed, colored linens from Egypt.
17 Kitanda changu nimenyunyizia manemane, udi na mdalasini.
I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Njoo, tunywe tujishibishe kwa upendo wetu hata asubuhi; tupate furaha kuu kwa matendo ya mahaba.
Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; let us take great pleasure in acts of love.
19 Maana mume wangu hayupo nyumbani kwake; amekwenda safari ya mbali.
For my husband is not at his house; he has gone on a long journey.
20 Alichukua mkoba wa fedha; atarudi siku ya mwezi mpevu.
He took a bag of money with him; he will return on the day of the full moon.”
21 katika maneno yake mengi akamshinda; na kwa midomo yake laini anampotosha.
With much talk she turned him; with her smooth lips she misled him.
22 Ghafula alimfuata kama maksai anayekwenda kwa mchinjaji, kama ayala aliyekamatwa kwa nguvu,
He went after her suddenly like an ox going to slaughter, like a deer caught in a trap,
23 mpaka mshale upasue ini lake. Alikuwa kama ndege anayekimbili kwenye mtego. Hakujua kuwa itamgharimu maisha yake.
until an arrow pierces through its liver. He was like a bird rushing into a snare. He did not know that it would cost his life.
24 Na sasa, wanangu, nisikilizeni; zingatieni maneno ya kinywa changu.
Now, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Moyo wako usiyageukie mapito yake; usipotoshwe katika mapito yake.
May your heart not turn aside onto her paths; do not be led astray onto her paths.
26 Amesababisha watu wengi kuanguka kwa kuwajeruhi; ameua watu wengi.
She has caused many people to fall down pierced; her dead victims are very many.
