Mithali 9
1 Hekima amejenga nyumba yake; amechonga nguzo saba kutoka katika miamba.
Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 Ameandaa wanyama wake kwa chakula cha usiku; ameichanganya divai yake; na kuandaa meza yake.
she hath slaughtered her cattle, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also prepared her table;
3 Amewatuma watumishi wake kupeleka mialiko na kutoka mahali pa juu sana kwenye mji anaita:
she hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the summits of the high places of the city,
4 “Wale wasiofunzwa waje hapa!” anawaambia wale wasionaufahamu.
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,
5 Njoo, ule chakula, na unywe divai nimeshaichanganya.
Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled.
6 Acheni njia zenu za kijinga, na mkaishi; tembeeni katika njia ya ufahamu.
Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence.
7 Yeyote amrekebishaye mwenye dhihaka hukaribisha matusi na yeyote anayemshutumu mtu mbaya atapata madhara.
He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked [man] [getteth] to himself a blot.
8 Usimshutumu mwenye dhihaka, ama atakuchukia; mshutumu mtu mwenye busara, naye atakupenda.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise [man], and he will love thee.
9 Mpe mafundisho mtu mwenye busara, naye atakuwa na busara zaidi; mfundishe mtu mwenye haki, naye ataongeza elimu.
Impart to a wise [man], and he will become yet wiser; teach a righteous [man], and he will increase learning.
10 Hofu ya Mungu ni chanzo cha hekima na maarifa ya Mtakatifu ni ufahamu.
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is intelligence.
11 Maana kwa njia yangu siku zako zitazidishwa na uzima wako utaongezewa miaka.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
12 Kama unahekima, unahekima kwako mwenyewe, lakini ukidharau, utaibeba peke yako.
If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 Mwanamke mpumbavu anakelele nyingi- hajafunzwa wala haelewi chochote.
The foolish woman is clamorous; she is stupid, and knoweth nothing.
14 Anakaa kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, kwenye kiti cha sehemu ya juu sana ya mji.
And she sitteth at the entry of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 Anawaita kwa sauti wanaopita karibu, watu wale wanaotembea wima katika njia zao.
to call passers-by who go right on their ways:
16 Wale ambao hamjafunzwa njoni hapa ndani!” anawaambia wale wasio na akili. “
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. And to him that is void of understanding she saith,
17 Maji ya kuiba ni matamu na mkate unaoliwa kwa siri unapendeza.”
Stolen waters are sweet, and the bread of secrecy is pleasant.
