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 is void of understanding, she saith to him,
5 Njoo, ule chakula, na unywe divai nimeshaichanganya.
Come, eat ye 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.
Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
7 Yeyote amrekebishaye mwenye dhihaka hukaribisha matusi na yeyote anayemshutumu mtu mbaya atapata madhara.
He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that reproveth 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: 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 [instruction] to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
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 knowledge of the Holy One 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 art wise, thou art 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] simple, and knoweth nothing.
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, 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 to them that pass 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 as for him that is void of 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.
