1
Mwanangu, yashike maneno yangu, Na kuziweka amri zangu akiba kwako.
My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
2
Uzishike amri zangu ukaishi, Na sheria yangu kama mboni ya jicho lako.
Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3
Zifunge katika vidole vyako; Ziandike juu ya kibao cha moyo wako.
Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4
Mwambie hekima, Wewe ndiwe umbu langu; Mwite ufahamu jamaa yako mwanamke.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
5
Wapate kukulinda na malaya, Na mgeni akubembelezaye kwa maneno yake.
that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
6
Maana katika dirisha la nyumba yangu Nalichungulia katika shubaka yake;
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.
7
Nikaona katikati ya wajinga, Nikamtambua miongoni mwa vijana, Kijana mmoja asiyekuwa na akili,
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,
8
Akipita njiani karibu na pembe yake, Akiishika njia iendayo nyumbani kwake,
crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house,
9
Wakati wa magharibi, wakati wa jioni, Usiku wa manane, gizani.
at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night.
10
Na tazama, mwanamke akamkuta, Ana mavazi ya kikahaba, mwerevu wa moyo;
Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.
11
Ana kelele, na ukaidi; Miguu yake haikai nyumbani mwake.
She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.
12
Mara yu katika njia kuu, mara viwanjani, Naye huotea kwenye pembe za kila njia.
Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.
13
Basi akamshika, akambusu, Akamwambia kwa uso usio na haya,
She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:
14
Kwangu ziko sadaka za amani; Leo hivi nimeziondoa nadhiri zangu;
“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.
15
Ndiyo maana nikatoka nikulaki, Nikutafute uso wako kwa bidii, nami nimekuona.
So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you.
16
Nimetandika kitanda changu, magodoro mazuri, Kwa matandiko ya Kimisri yenye mistari.
I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt.
17
Nimetia kitanda changu manukato, Manemane na udi na mdalasini.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.
18
Haya, na tushibe upendo hata asubuhi, Tujifurahishe nafsi zetu kwa mahaba.
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses!
19
Maana mume wangu hayumo nyumbani, Amekwenda safari ya mbali;
For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
20
Amechukua mfuko wa fedha mkononi; Atarudi wakati wa mwezi mpevu.
He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.”
21
Kwa maneno yake mengi na ulaini akamshawishi, Kwa ubembelezi wa midomo yake akamshinda.
With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
22
Huyo akafuatana naye mara hiyo, Kama vile ng'ombe aendavyo machinjoni; Au mpumbavu kuadhibiwa katika pingu;
He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,
23
Hata mshale umchome maini; Kama ndege aendaye haraka mtegoni; Wala hajui ya kuwa ni hasara ya nafsi yake.
until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life.
24
Basi, wanangu, nisikilizeni sasa, Mkayaangalie maneno ya kinywa changu.
Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25
Moyo wako usizielekee njia zake, Wala usipotee katika mapito yake.
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths.
26
Maana amewaangusha wengi waliojeruhi, Naam, jumla ya waliouawa naye ni jeshi kubwa.
For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number.
27
Nyumba yake ni njia ya kwenda kuzimu, Hushuka mpaka vyumba vya mauti.</p>
Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.