1
Usiku kitandani nalimtafuta mpendwa wa nafsi yangu, Nalimtafuta, nisimpate.
On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him.
2
Nikasema, Haya, niondoke nizunguke mjini, Katika njia zake na viwanjani, Nimtafute mpendwa wa nafsi yangu. Nikamtafuta, nisimpate.
I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him.
3
Walinzi wazungukao mjini waliniona; Je! Mmemwona mpendwa wa nafsi yangu?
I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city: “Have you seen the one I love?”
4
Kitambo kidogo tu nikiisha kuwaondokea, Nikamwona mpendwa wa nafsi yangu; Nikamshika, nisimwache tena, Hata nilipomleta nyumbani mwa mamangu, Chumbani mwake aliyenizaa.
I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of the one who conceived me.
5
Nawasihi, enyi binti za Yerusalemu, Kwa paa na kwa ayala wa porini, Msiyachochee mapenzi, wala kuyaamsha, Hata yatakapoona vema yenyewe.
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.
6
Ni nani huyu apandaye kutoka nyikani, Mfano wake ni nguzo za moshi; Afukizwa manemane na ubani, Na mavumbi ya manukato yote ya mchuuzi?
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?
7
Tazama, ni machela yake Sulemani; Mashujaa sitini waizunguka, Wa mashujaa wa Israeli.
Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel.
8
Wote wameshika upanga, Wamehitimu kupigana; Kila mtu anao upanga wake pajani Kwa hofu ya kamsa za usiku.
All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of the night.
9
Mfalme Sulemani alijifanyizia machela Ya miti ya Lebanoni;
King Solomon has made his carriage out of the timber of Lebanon.
10
Nguzo zake alizifanyiza za fedha, Na mgongo wake wa dhahabu, Kiti chake kimepambwa urujuani, Gari lake limenakishiwa njumu, Hiba ya binti za Yerusalemu.
He has made its posts of silver, its base of gold, its seat of purple fabric. Its interior is inlaid with love by the daughters of Jerusalem.
11
Tokeni, enyi binti za Sayuni, Mtazameni Mfalme Sulemani, Amevaa taji alivyovikwa na mamaye, Siku ya maposo yake, Siku ya furaha ya moyo wake.
Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.