Mithali 5
1 Mwanangu, sikiliza kwa makini hekima yangu, sikiliza vizuri maneno yangu ya busara,
My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding:
2 ili uweze kutunza busara na midomo yako ihifadhi maarifa.
that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 Kwa maana midomo ya mwanamke kahaba hudondoza asali, na maneno ya kinywa chake ni laini kuliko mafuta;
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,
4 lakini mwisho wake ni mchungu kama nyongo, mkali kama upanga ukatao kuwili.
But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Miguu yake hushuka kuelekea kwenye kifo; hatua zake huelekea moja kwa moja kaburini. (Sheol h7585)
Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
6 Yeye hafikiri juu ya njia ya uzima; njia zake zimepotoka, lakini yeye hajui.
She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know it.
7 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; msiache ninalowaambia.
Now therefore, son, listen to me. Do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Njia zenu ziwe mbali naye, msiende karibu na mlango wa nyumba yake,
Remove your way far from her. Do not come near the door of her house,
9 usije ukatoa nguvu zako nzuri kwa wengine na miaka yako kwa aliye mkatili,
lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the merciless;
10 wageni wasije wakasherehekea utajiri wako na jitihada yako ikatajirisha nyumba ya mwanaume mwingine.
lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man's house.
11 Mwishoni mwa maisha yako utalia kwa uchungu, wakati nyama na mwili wako vimechakaa.
You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed,
12 Utasema, “Tazama jinsi gani nilivyochukia adhabu! Tazama jinsi moyo wangu ulivyodharau maonyo!
and say, "How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13 Sikuwatii walimu wangu wala kuwasikiliza wakufunzi wangu.
neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me.
14 Nimefika ukingoni mwa maangamizi kabisa katikati ya kusanyiko lote.”
I have come to the brink of utter ruin, in the midst of the gathered assembly."
15 Kunywa maji kutoka kwenye kisima chako mwenyewe, maji yanayotiririka kutoka kwenye kisima chako mwenyewe.
Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well.
16 Je, chemchemi zako zifurike katika barabara za mji na vijito vyako vya maji viwanjani?
Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares?
17 Na viwe vyako mwenyewe, kamwe visishirikishwe wageni.
Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you.
18 Chemchemi yako na ibarikiwe na umfurahie mke wa ujana wako.
Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 Kulungu jike apendaye, kulungu mzuri: matiti yake na yakutosheleze siku zote, nawe utekwe daima na upendo wake.
A loving doe and a graceful deer—let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love.
20 Kwa nini mwanangu, utekwe na mwanamke kahaba? Kwa nini ukumbatie kifua cha mke wa mwanaume mwingine?
For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?
21 Kwa maana njia za mtu ni wazi kabisa mbele za Bwana, naye huyapima mapito yake yote.
For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah. He examines all his paths.
22 Matendo mabaya ya mtu mwovu humnasa yeye mwenyewe; kamba za dhambi yake humkamata kwa nguvu.
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
23 Atakufa kwa kukosa nidhamu, akipotoshwa kwa upumbavu wake mwenyewe.
He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
