Je! Hekima halii? Ufahamu hatoi sauti yake?
Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice?
Juu ya mahali palipoinuka karibu na njia, Penye njia panda, ndipo asimamapo.
On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she stands.
Karibu na malango, mahali pa kuingia mjini, Mahali pa kuyaingilia malango anapiga kelele.
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entry doors, she cries aloud:
Enyi watu, nawaita ninyi; Na sauti yangu ni kwa wanadamu.
"To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
Enyi wajinga, fahamuni werevu, Nanyi wapumbavu, mpate moyo wa kufahamu.
You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.
Sikieni, maana nitasema yaliyo mazuri, Na kufumbua midomo yangu kutakuwa maadili.
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
Maana kinywa changu kitasema kweli, Na uovu ni chukizo kwa midomo yangu.
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Maneno yote ya kinywa changu yana haki; Hapana hata neno lililopotoka au la ukaidi.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
Yote humwelea yule afahamuye, Yote huelekea mbele yao waliopata maarifa.
They are all plain to him who understands, Right to those who find knowledge.
Pokea mafundisho yangu, wala si fedha, Na maarifa kuliko dhahabu safi.
Receive my instruction rather than silver; Knowledge rather than choice gold.
Maana hekima ni bora kuliko marijani; Wala vyote vinavyotamanika havilingani nayo.
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.
Mimi, hekima, nimefanya werevu kuwa kao langu; Natafuta maarifa na busara.
"I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
Kumcha Bwana ni kuchukia uovu; Kiburi na majivuno, na njia mbovu, Na kinywa cha ukaidi pia nakichukia.
The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
Shauri ni langu, na maarifa yaliyo sahihi; Mimi ni ufahamu, mimi nina nguvu.
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
Kwa msaada wangu wafalme humiliki, Na wakuu wanahukumu haki.
By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.
Kwa msaada wangu wakuu hutawala, Na waungwana, naam, waamuzi wote wa dunia.
By me princes rule; Nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
Nawapenda wale wanipendao, Na wale wanitafutao kwa bidii wataniona.
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
Utajiri na heshima ziko kwangu, Naam, utajiri udumuo, na haki pia.
With me are riches, honor, Enduring wealth, and prosperity.
Matunda yangu hupita dhahabu, naam, dhahabu safi, Na faida yangu hupita fedha iliyo teule.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; My yield than choice silver.
Natembea katika njia ya haki, Katikati ya mapito ya hukumu.
I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice;
Niwarithishe mali wale wanipendao, Tena nipate kuzijaza hazina zao.
That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
Bwana alikuwa nami katika mwanzo wa njia yake, Kabla ya matendo yake ya kale.
"Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, Before his deeds of old.
Nalitukuka tokea milele, tangu awali, Kabla haijawako dunia.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth existed.
Wakati visipokuwako vilindi nalizaliwa, Wakati zisipokuwako chemchemi zilizojaa maji.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water.
Kabla milima haijawekwa imara, Kabla ya vilima nalizaliwa.
Before the mountains were settled in place, Before the hills, I was brought forth;
Alipokuwa hajaiumba dunia, wala makonde Wala chanzo cha mavumbi ya dunia;
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
Alipozithibitisha mbingu nalikuwako; Alipopiga duara katika uso wa bahari;
When he established the heavens, I was there; When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
Alipofanya imara mawingu yaliyo juu; Chemchemi za bahari zilipopata nguvu;
When he established the clouds above, When the springs of the deep became strong,
Alipoipa bahari mpaka wake, Kwamba maji yake yasiasi amri yake; Alipoiagiza misingi ya nchi;
When he gave to the sea its boundary, That the waters should not violate his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth;
Ndipo nilipokuwa pamoja naye, kama stadi wa kazi; Nikawa furaha yake kila siku; Nikifurahi daima mbele zake;
Then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, Always rejoicing before him,
Nikiifurahia dunia inayokaliwa na watu; Na furaha yangu ilikuwa pamoja na wanadamu.
Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
Basi, wanangu, nisikilizeni sasa; Maana heri hao wazishikao amri zangu.
"Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways.
Sikieni mafundisho, mpate hekima, Wala msiikatae.
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don't refuse it.
Ana heri mtu yule anisikilizaye, Akisubiri sikuzote malangoni pangu, Akingoja penye vizingiti vya milango yangu.
Blessed is the man who hears me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my door posts.
Maana yeye anionaye mimi aona uzima, Naye atapata kibali kwa Bwana.
For whoever finds me, finds life, And will obtain favor from Yahweh.
Bali anikosaye hujidhuru nafsi yake mwenyewe, Na wao wanichukiao hupenda mauti.
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death."