Mwanangu, yashike maneno yangu, Na kuziweka amri zangu akiba kwako.
My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you.
Uzishike amri zangu ukaishi, Na sheria yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keep my commandments and live; Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye.
Zifunge katika vidole vyako; Ziandike juu ya kibao cha moyo wako.
Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Mwambie hekima, Wewe ndiwe umbu langu; Mwite ufahamu jamaa yako mwanamke.
Tell wisdom, "You are my sister." Call understanding your relative,
Wapate kukulinda na malaya, Na mgeni akubembelezaye kwa maneno yake.
That they may keep you from the strange woman, From the foreigner who flatters with her words.
Maana katika dirisha la nyumba yangu Nalichungulia katika shubaka yake;
For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.
Nikaona katikati ya wajinga, Nikamtambua miongoni mwa vijana, Kijana mmoja asiyekuwa na akili,
I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,
Akipita njiani karibu na pembe yake, Akiishika njia iendayo nyumbani kwake,
Passing through the street near her corner, He went the way to her house,
Wakati wa magharibi, wakati wa jioni, Usiku wa manane, gizani.
In the twilight, in the evening of the day, In the middle of the night and in the darkness.
Na tazama, mwanamke akamkuta, Ana mavazi ya kikahaba, mwerevu wa moyo;
Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, And with crafty intent.
Ana kelele, na ukaidi; Miguu yake haikai nyumbani mwake.
She is loud and defiant. Her feet don't stay in her house.
Mara yu katika njia kuu, mara viwanjani, Naye huotea kwenye pembe za kila njia.
Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, And lurking at every corner.
Basi akamshika, akambusu, Akamwambia kwa uso usio na haya,
So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him:
Kwangu ziko sadaka za amani; Leo hivi nimeziondoa nadhiri zangu;
"Sacrifices of peace-offerings are with me. This day I have paid my vows.
Ndiyo maana nikatoka nikulaki, Nikutafute uso wako kwa bidii, nami nimekuona.
Therefore I came out to meet you, To diligently seek your face, And I have found you.
Nimetandika kitanda changu, magodoro mazuri, Kwa matandiko ya Kimisri yenye mistari.
I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
Nimetia kitanda changu manukato, Manemane na udi na mdalasini.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
Haya, na tushibe upendo hata asubuhi, Tujifurahishe nafsi zetu kwa mahaba.
Come, let's take our fill of loving until the morning. Let's solace ourselves with loving.
Maana mume wangu hayumo nyumbani, Amekwenda safari ya mbali;
For my husband isn't at home. He has gone on a long journey.
Amechukua mfuko wa fedha mkononi; Atarudi wakati wa mwezi mpevu.
He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon."
Kwa maneno yake mengi na ulaini akamshawishi, Kwa ubembelezi wa midomo yake akamshinda.
With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.
Huyo akafuatana naye mara hiyo, Kama vile ng'ombe aendavyo machinjoni; Au mpumbavu kuadhibiwa katika pingu;
He followed her immediately, As an ox goes to the slaughter, As a fool stepping into a noose.
Hata mshale umchome maini; Kama ndege aendaye haraka mtegoni; Wala hajui ya kuwa ni hasara ya nafsi yake.
Until an arrow strikes through his liver, As a bird hurries to the snare, And doesn't know that it will cost his life.
Basi, wanangu, nisikilizeni sasa, Mkayaangalie maneno ya kinywa changu.
Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth.
Moyo wako usizielekee njia zake, Wala usipotee katika mapito yake.
Don't let your heart turn to her ways. Don't go astray in her paths,
Maana amewaangusha wengi waliojeruhi, Naam, jumla ya waliouawa naye ni jeshi kubwa.
For she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty host.
Nyumba yake ni njia ya kwenda kuzimu, Hushuka mpaka vyumba vya mauti.</p>
Her house is the way to Sheol, Going down to the chambers of death.