Mithali 9
1 Hekima amejenga nyumba yake; amechonga nguzo saba kutoka katika miamba.
Wisdom has built her house; she has prepared its seven pillars.
2 Ameandaa wanyama wake kwa chakula cha usiku; ameichanganya divai yake; na kuandaa meza yake.
She has slaughtered her animals for meat; she has mixed her wine; and she has set her table.
3 Amewatuma watumishi wake kupeleka mialiko na kutoka mahali pa juu sana kwenye mji anaita:
She has sent out her servant girls with invitations. She calls out from the highest places of the town,
4 “Wale wasiofunzwa waje hapa!” anawaambia wale wasionaufahamu.
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
5 Njoo, ule chakula, na unywe divai nimeshaichanganya.
“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Acheni njia zenu za kijinga, na mkaishi; tembeeni katika njia ya ufahamu.
Leave your foolish ways and you will live; follow the path that makes sense.”
7 Yeyote amrekebishaye mwenye dhihaka hukaribisha matusi na yeyote anayemshutumu mtu mbaya atapata madhara.
If you correct a mocker all you get are insults; if you argue with the wicked all you get is abuse.
8 Usimshutumu mwenye dhihaka, ama atakuchukia; mshutumu mtu mwenye busara, naye atakupenda.
So don't argue with mockers or they'll only hate you; argue with the wise and they'll love you.
9 Mpe mafundisho mtu mwenye busara, naye atakuwa na busara zaidi; mfundishe mtu mwenye haki, naye ataongeza elimu.
Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.
10 Hofu ya Mungu ni chanzo cha hekima na maarifa ya Mtakatifu ni ufahamu.
Honoring the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One brings insight.
11 Maana kwa njia yangu siku zako zitazidishwa na uzima wako utaongezewa miaka.
Through wisdom you'll have many more days, increasing the years of your life.
12 Kama unahekima, unahekima kwako mwenyewe, lakini ukidharau, utaibeba peke yako.
If you are wise, you are the one to profit from it; if you scoff, you alone will have to suffer the consequences.
13 Mwanamke mpumbavu anakelele nyingi- hajafunzwa wala haelewi chochote.
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
14 Anakaa kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, kwenye kiti cha sehemu ya juu sana ya mji.
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the town,
15 Anawaita kwa sauti wanaopita karibu, watu wale wanaotembea wima katika njia zao.
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
16 Wale ambao hamjafunzwa njoni hapa ndani!” anawaambia wale wasio na akili. “
“Everybody who needs to learn, come and see me!” To people who don't have any sense she says,
17 Maji ya kuiba ni matamu na mkate unaoliwa kwa siri unapendeza.”
“Stolen water is sweet, and food eaten in secret tastes good!”
