Mithali 9
1 Hekima amejenga nyumba yake; amechonga nguzo saba kutoka katika miamba.
Wisdom hath builded 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 killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished 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 highest places of the city,
4 “Wale wasiofunzwa waje hapa!” anawaambia wale wasionaufahamu.
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Njoo, ule chakula, na unywe divai nimeshaichanganya.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Acheni njia zenu za kijinga, na mkaishi; tembeeni katika njia ya ufahamu.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 Yeyote amrekebishaye mwenye dhihaka hukaribisha matusi na yeyote anayemshutumu mtu mbaya atapata madhara.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 Usimshutumu mwenye dhihaka, ama atakuchukia; mshutumu mtu mwenye busara, naye atakupenda.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke 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.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 Hofu ya Mungu ni chanzo cha hekima na maarifa ya Mtakatifu ni ufahamu.
The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 Maana kwa njia yangu siku zako zitazidishwa na uzima wako utaongezewa miaka.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 Kama unahekima, unahekima kwako mwenyewe, lakini ukidharau, utaibeba peke yako.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 Mwanamke mpumbavu anakelele nyingi- hajafunzwa wala haelewi chochote.
A foolish woman is clamourous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 Anakaa kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, kwenye kiti cha sehemu ya juu sana ya mji.
For she sitteth at the door 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 passengers 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 as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 Maji ya kuiba ni matamu na mkate unaoliwa kwa siri unapendeza.”
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
