Mithali 9
1 Hekima amejenga nyumba yake; amechonga nguzo saba kutoka katika miamba.
Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
2 Ameandaa wanyama wake kwa chakula cha usiku; ameichanganya divai yake; na kuandaa meza yake.
She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
3 Amewatuma watumishi wake kupeleka mialiko na kutoka mahali pa juu sana kwenye mji anaita:
She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
4 “Wale wasiofunzwa waje hapa!” anawaambia wale wasionaufahamu.
“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
5 Njoo, ule chakula, na unywe divai nimeshaichanganya.
“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
6 Acheni njia zenu za kijinga, na mkaishi; tembeeni katika njia ya ufahamu.
Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
7 Yeyote amrekebishaye mwenye dhihaka hukaribisha matusi na yeyote anayemshutumu mtu mbaya atapata madhara.
Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
8 Usimshutumu mwenye dhihaka, ama atakuchukia; mshutumu mtu mwenye busara, naye atakupenda.
Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
9 Mpe mafundisho mtu mwenye busara, naye atakuwa na busara zaidi; mfundishe mtu mwenye haki, naye ataongeza elimu.
Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
10 Hofu ya Mungu ni chanzo cha hekima na maarifa ya Mtakatifu ni ufahamu.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
11 Maana kwa njia yangu siku zako zitazidishwa na uzima wako utaongezewa miaka.
For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
12 Kama unahekima, unahekima kwako mwenyewe, lakini ukidharau, utaibeba peke yako.
If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.
13 Mwanamke mpumbavu anakelele nyingi- hajafunzwa wala haelewi chochote.
A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
14 Anakaa kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, kwenye kiti cha sehemu ya juu sana ya mji.
sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 Anawaita kwa sauti wanaopita karibu, watu wale wanaotembea wima katika njia zao.
so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
16 Wale ambao hamjafunzwa njoni hapa ndani!” anawaambia wale wasio na akili. “
“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
17 Maji ya kuiba ni matamu na mkate unaoliwa kwa siri unapendeza.”
“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
