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 killed her cattle; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also set in order her table.
3 Amewatuma watumishi wake kupeleka mialiko na kutoka mahali pa juu sana kwenye mji anaita:
She hath sent forth her maidens: she inviteth [her guests] upon the top of the highest places of the town.
4 “Wale wasiofunzwa waje hapa!” anawaambia wale wasionaufahamu.
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of sense, 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 simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
7 Yeyote amrekebishaye mwenye dhihaka hukaribisha matusi na yeyote anayemshutumu mtu mbaya atapata madhara.
He that correcteth a scorner acquireth for himself abuse; and he that reproveth the wicked getteth himself a blemish.
8 Usimshutumu mwenye dhihaka, ama atakuchukia; mshutumu mtu mwenye busara, naye atakupenda.
Do not correct 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.
Give to the wise [instruction], and he will become yet wiser: impart knowledge to the righteous, and he will increase his information.
10 Hofu ya Mungu ni chanzo cha hekima na maarifa ya Mtakatifu ni ufahamu.
The commencement of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.
11 Maana kwa njia yangu siku zako zitazidishwa na uzima wako utaongezewa miaka.
For through me shall thy days be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased unto thee.
12 Kama unahekima, unahekima kwako mwenyewe, lakini ukidharau, utaibeba peke yako.
If thou art become wise, thou art wise for thyself; but if thou art a scorner, thou alone wilt have to bear it.”
13 Mwanamke mpumbavu anakelele nyingi- hajafunzwa wala haelewi chochote.
The woman of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
14 Anakaa kwenye mlango wa nyumba yake, kwenye kiti cha sehemu ya juu sana ya mji.
And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
15 Anawaita kwa sauti wanaopita karibu, watu wale wanaotembea wima katika njia zao.
To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
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 is void of sense, she saith to him,
17 Maji ya kuiba ni matamu na mkate unaoliwa kwa siri unapendeza.”
“Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
