Mithali 9
1 Hekima amejenga nyumba yake; amechonga nguzo saba kutoka katika miamba.
Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
2 Ameandaa wanyama wake kwa chakula cha usiku; ameichanganya divai yake; na kuandaa meza yake.
She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
3 Amewatuma watumishi wake kupeleka mialiko na kutoka mahali pa juu sana kwenye mji anaita:
She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
4 “Wale wasiofunzwa waje hapa!” anawaambia wale wasionaufahamu.
Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
5 Njoo, ule chakula, na unywe divai nimeshaichanganya.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Acheni njia zenu za kijinga, na mkaishi; tembeeni katika njia ya ufahamu.
Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
7 Yeyote amrekebishaye mwenye dhihaka hukaribisha matusi na yeyote anayemshutumu mtu mbaya atapata madhara.
He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
8 Usimshutumu mwenye dhihaka, ama atakuchukia; mshutumu mtu mwenye busara, naye atakupenda.
Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
9 Mpe mafundisho mtu mwenye busara, naye atakuwa na busara zaidi; mfundishe mtu mwenye haki, naye ataongeza elimu.
Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
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 the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
11 Maana kwa njia yangu siku zako zitazidishwa na uzima wako utaongezewa miaka.
For in this way you shall live long, and years of your life shall be added to you.
12 Kama unahekima, unahekima kwako mwenyewe, lakini ukidharau, utaibeba peke yako.
Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbors; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
13 Mwanamke mpumbavu anakelele nyingi- hajafunzwa wala haelewi chochote.
A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
14 Anakaa kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, kwenye kiti cha sehemu ya juu sana ya mji.
She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
15 Anawaita kwa sauti wanaopita karibu, watu wale wanaotembea wima katika njia zao.
calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
16 Wale ambao hamjafunzwa njoni hapa ndani!” anawaambia wale wasio na akili. “
[saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,
17 Maji ya kuiba ni matamu na mkate unaoliwa kwa siri unapendeza.”
Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
