Proverbs 7

1 My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.

1 Mwanangu, shika maneno yangu na kuzihifadhi amri zangu ndani yako.

2 Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

2 Shika amri zangu nawe utaishi; linda mafundisho yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.

3 Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

3 Yafunge katika vidole vyako; yaandike katika kibao cha moyo wako.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,

4 Mwambie hekima, “Wewe ni dada yangu,” uite ufahamu jamaa yako;

5 that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.

5 watakuepusha na mwanamke mzinzi, kutokana na mwanamke mpotovu na maneno yake ya kubembeleza.

6 For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.

6 Kwenye dirisha la nyumba yangu nilitazama nje kupitia upenyo kwenye mwimo wa dirisha.

7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,

7 Niliona miongoni mwa wajinga, nikagundua miongoni mwa wanaume vijana, kijana asiye na akili.

8 crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,

8 Alikuwa akishuka njiani karibu na pembe ya kwake, akielekea kwenye nyumba ya huyo mwanamke

9 at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.

9 wakati wa machweo, jua likipungua nuru yake, giza la usiku lilipokuwa likiingia.

10 Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.

10 Ndipo huyo mwanamke akatoka kumlaki, hali amevaa kama kahaba akiwa na nia ya udanganyifu.

11 She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.

11 (Ni mwanamke mwenye makelele na mkaidi, miguu yake haitulii nyumbani;

12 Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.

12 mara kwenye barabara za mji, mara kwenye viwanja vikubwa, kwenye kila pembe huvizia.)

13 She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:

13 Huyo mwanamke alimkumbatia kijana na kumbusu, na kwa uso usio na haya akamwambia:

14 “I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.

14 “Nina sadaka za amani nyumbani; leo nimetimiza nadhiri zangu.

15 So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.

15 Kwa hiyo nimetoka nje kukulaki; nimekutafuta na nimekupata!

16 I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.

16 Nimetandika kitanda changu kwa kitani za rangi kutoka Misri.

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.

17 Nimetia manukato kitanda changu kwa manemane, udi na mdalasini.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!

18 Njoo, tuzame katika mapenzi mpaka asubuhi; tujifurahishe wenyewe kwa mapenzi!

19 For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

19 Mume wangu hayupo nyumbani; amekwenda safari ya mbali.

20 He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”

20 Amechukua mkoba uliojazwa fedha na hatakuwepo nyumbani karibuni.”

21 With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.

21 Kwa maneno laini yule mwanamke akampotosha; alimshawishi kwa maneno yake laini.

22 He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,

22 Mara huyo kijana alimfuata yule mwanamke kama fahali aendaye machinjoni, kama kulungu aingiaye kwenye kitanzi,

23 until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life.

23 mpaka mshale umchome ini lake, kama ndege anayenaswa kwenye mtego, bila kujua itamgharimu maisha yake.

24 Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.

24 Sasa basi wanangu, nisikilizeni; sikilizeni kwa makini nisemalo.

25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths.

25 Usiruhusu moyo wako ugeukie njia za huyo mwanamke, wala usitangetange katika mapito yake.

26 For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.

26 Aliowaangusha ni wengi; aliowachinja ni kundi kubwa.

27 Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

27 Nyumba yake ni njia kuu iendayo kaburini, ielekeayo chini kwenye vyumba vya mauti.