Wanangu, yasikilizeni mausia ya baba yenu, Tegeni masikio mpate kujua ufahamu.
Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
Kwa kuwa nawapa mafundisho mazuri; Msiiache sheria yangu.
For I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.
Maana nalikuwa mwana kwa baba yangu, Mpole, mpenzi wa pekee wa mama yangu.
For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
Naye akanifundisha, akaniambia, Moyo wako uyahifadhi maneno yangu; Shika amri zangu ukaishi.
He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
Jipatie hekima, jipatie ufahamu; usiusahau; Wala usiyakatae maneno ya kinywa changu.
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
Usimwache, naye atakuhifadhi; Umpende, naye atakulinda.
Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
Bora hekima, basi jipatie hekima; Naam, kwa mapato yako yote jipatie ufahamu.
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
Umtukuze, naye atakukuza; Atakupatia heshima, ukimkumbatia.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
Atakupa neema kuwa kilemba kichwani; Na kukukirimia taji ya uzuri.
She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."
Mwanangu, sikiliza, na kuzipokea kauli zangu; Na miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
Nimekufundisha katika njia ya hekima; Nimekuongoza katika mapito ya unyofu.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
Uendapo, hatua zako hazitadhiikika, Wala ukipiga mbio hutajikwaa.
When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; Mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
Usiingie katika njia ya waovu, Wala usitembee katika njia ya wabaya.
Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men.
Jiepushe nayo, usipite karibu nayo, Igeukie mbali, ukaende zako.
Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
Maana hawalali isipokuwa wametenda madhara; Huondolewa usingizi, ikiwa hawakumwangusha mtu.
For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
Maana wao hula mkate wa uovu, Nao hunywa divai ya jeuri.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
Bali njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ing'aayo, Ikizidi kung'aa hata mchana mkamilifu.
But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, That shines more and more until the perfect day.
Njia ya waovu ni kama giza; Hawajui ni kitu gani kiwakwazacho.
The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over.
Mwanangu, sikiliza maneno yangu; Tega sikio lako, uzisikie kauli zangu.
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
Zisiondoke machoni pako; Uzihifadhi ndani ya moyo wako.
Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
Maana ni uhai kwa wale wazipatao, Na afya ya mwili wao wote.
For they are life to those who find them, And health to their whole body.
Linda moyo wako kuliko yote uyalindayo; Maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.
Kinywa cha ukaidi ukitenge nawe, Na midomo ya upotovu uiweke mbali nawe.
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
Macho yako yatazame mbele, Na kope zako zitazame mbele yako sawasawa.
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
Ulisawazishe pito la mguu wako, Na njia zako zote zithibitike;
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
Usigeuke kwa kuume wala kwa kushoto; Ondoa mguu wako maovuni.
Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.