Usiwahusudu watu waovu, Wala usitamani kuwa pamoja nao;
Don't be envious of evil men; Neither desire to be with them:
Kwa maana moyo wao hufikiri dhuluma, Na midomo yao huongea madhara.
For their hearts plot violence, And their lips talk about mischief.
Nyumba hujengwa kwa hekima, Na kwa ufahamu huthibitika,
Through wisdom a house is built; By understanding it is established;
Na kwa maarifa vyumba vyake hujazwa Vitu vyote vya thamani na vya kupendeza.
By knowledge the rooms are filled With all rare and beautiful treasure.
Mtu mwenye hekima ana nguvu; Naam, mtu wa maarifa huongeza uwezo;
A wise man has great power; And a knowledgeable man increases strength;
Maana kwa mashauri ya akili utafanya vita; Na kwa wingi wa washauri huja wokovu.
For by wise guidance you wage your war; And victory is in many advisors.
Kwa mpumbavu hekima haipatikani; Hafumbui kinywa chake langoni.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: He doesn't open his mouth in the gate.
Mtu afikiriye kutenda maovu, Watu watamwita mtundu;
One who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.
Fikira za mpumbavu ni dhambi, Na mwenye mzaha huwachukiza watu.
The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
Ukizimia siku ya taabu, Nguvu zako ni chache.
If you falter in the time of trouble, Your strength is small.
Uwaokoe wanaochukuliwa ili wauawe; Nao walio tayari kuchinjwa uwaopoe.
Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
Ukisema, Sisi hatukujua hayo; Je! Yeye aipimaye mioyo siye afahamuye? Naye ailindaye nafsi yako siye ajuaye? Je! Hatamlipa kila mtu sawasawa na kazi yake?
If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" Doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
Mwanangu, ule asali, kwa maana ni njema, Na sega la asali lililo tamu ulionjapo.
My son, eat honey, for it is good; The droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
Basi utaijua hekima kuwa tamu kwa nafsi yako; Ikiwa umekwisha kuiona; Ndipo itakapofuata thawabu; Wala tumaini lako halitabatilika.
So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; If you have found it, then there will be a reward, Your hope will not be cut off.
Ewe mtu mbaya, usiyavizie makao yake mwenye haki; Wala usipaharibu mahali pake pa kupumzika;
Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting-place:
Kwa maana mwenye haki huanguka mara saba akaondoka tena; Bali wasio haki hukwazwa na mabaya.
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
Usifurahi, adui yako aangukapo; Wala moyo wako usishangilie ajikwaapo;
Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
Bwana asije akaliona hilo, likamkasirisha; Akageuzia mbali naye hasira yake.
Lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.
Usikasirike kwa sababu ya watenda mabaya; Wala usiwahusudu wabaya;
Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; Neither be envious of the wicked:
Kwa maana mtu mbaya hapati thawabu; Taa ya mtu mbaya itazimika.
For there will be no reward to the evil man; And the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
Mwanangu, mche Bwana, na mfalme; Wala usishirikiane na wenye kigeugeu;
My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious:
Maana msiba wao utatokea kwa ghafula; Tena ni nani aujuaye uharibifu wa miaka yao.
For their calamity will rise suddenly; The destruction from them both--who knows?
Haya nayo pia ni maneno ya wenye akili. Kupendelea watu katika hukumu si kwema.
These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
Amwambiaye mtu mwovu, Wewe una haki; Kabila za watu watamlaani, taifa watamchukia.
He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" Peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him--
Bali kwao wakemeao furaha itakuwako; Na baraka ya kufanikiwa itawajilia.
But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, And a rich blessing will come on them.
Aibusu midomo atoaye jawabu la haki.
An honest answer Is like a kiss on the lips.
Tengeneza kazi yako huko nje, Jifanyizie kazi yako tayari shambani, Ukiisha, jenga nyumba yako.
Prepare your work outside, And get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
Usimshuhudie jirani yako pasipo sababu, Wala usidanganye kwa midomo yako.
Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.
Usiseme, Nitamtenda kama alivyonitenda mimi; Nitamlipa mtu huyo sawasawa na tendo lake.
Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
Nalipita karibu na shamba la mvivu, Na shamba la mizabibu la mtu asiye na akili.
I went by the field of the sluggard, By the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Kumbe! Lote pia limemea miiba; Uso wake ulifunikwa kwa viwawi; Na ukuta wake wa mawe umebomoka.
Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.
Ndipo nilipoangalia na kufikiri sana; Naliona, nikapata mafundisho.
Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
Bado kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, Bado kukunja mikono upate usingizi!
A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep;
Hivyo, umaskini wako huja kama mnyang'anyi, Na uhitaji wako kama mtu mwenye silaha.
So shall your poverty come as a robber, And your want as an armed man.