1
Mizani ya hadaa ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali vipimo vilivyo sawasawa humpendeza.
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
2
Kijapo kiburi ndipo ijapo aibu; Bali hekima hukaa na wanyenyekevu.
When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
3
Ukamilifu wao wenye haki utawaongoza Bali ukaidi wao wenye fitina utawaangamiza.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
4
Mali hazifaidii kitu siku ya ghadhabu; Bali haki huokoa na mauti.
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
5
Haki yake mtu mkamilifu itamwongoza njia yake; Bali mtu mwovu ataanguka kwa uovu wake.
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6
Haki yao wenye haki itawaokoa; Bali wafanyao fitina watanaswa kwa hila yao wenyewe.
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7
Mtu mwovu atakapokufa, taraja lake lapotea; Na matumaini ya uovu huangamia.
When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8
Mwenye haki huokolewa katika dhiki, Na mtu mwovu ataiingia badala yake.
The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.
9
Asiyemcha Mungu humpoteza jirani yake kwa kinywa chake; Bali wenye haki watapona kwa maarifa.
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10
Wenye haki wasitawipo, mji hufurahi; Waovu waangamiapo, watu hupiga kelele.
When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11
Mji hutukuzwa kwa mbaraka wa mwenye haki; Bali mji hupinduliwa kwa kinywa cha mwovu.
By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12
Asiye na akili humdharau mwenziwe; Bali mtu aliye na ufahamu hunyamaza.
Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13
Mwenye kitango akisingizia hufunua siri; Bali mwenye roho ya uaminifu husitiri mambo.
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14
Pasipo mashauri taifa huanguka; Bali kwa wingi wa washauri huja wokovu.
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
15
Amdhaminiye mgeni hakosi ataumia; Achukiaye mambo ya dhamana yu salama.
He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
16
Mwanamke wa adabu huheshimiwa daima; Na watu wakali hushika mali siku zote.
A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17
Mwenye rehema huitendea mema nafsi yake; Aliye mkali hujisumbua mwili wake.
A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18
Mtu mwovu hupata mshahara wa udanganyifu; Apandaye haki ana thawabu ya hakika.
The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19
Haki huelekea uzima; Afuataye maovu hufuata mauti yake mwenyewe.
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
20
Wenye kuhalifu moyoni ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Walio wakamilifu katika njia zao humpendeza.
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
21
Hakika, mtu mwovu hatakosa adhabu; Bali wazao wa wenye haki wataokoka.
Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22
Kama pete ya dhahabu katika pua ya nguruwe, Kadhalika mwanamke mzuri asiye na akili.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23
Haja ya mwenye haki ni mema tu; Bali kutaraji kwake mtu mwovu ni ghadhabu.
The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath.
24
Kuna atawanyaye, lakini huongezewa zaidi; Kuna azuiaye isivyo haki, lakini huelekea uhitaji.
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
25
Nafsi ya mtu mkarimu itawandishwa; Anyweshaye atanyweshwa mwenyewe.
A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26
Awanyimaye watu nafaka, watu watamlaani; Auzaye nafaka, baraka itakuwa kichwani pake.
The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.
27
Atafutaye mema kwa bidii hutafuta fadhili; Atafutaye madhara, hayo yatamjia.
He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.
28
Azitegemeaye mali zake ataanguka; Mwenye haki atasitawi kama jani.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
29
Ataabishaye nyumba yake mwenyewe ataurithi upepo; Mpumbavu atakuwa mtumwa wa mtu mwenye moyo wa akili.
He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30
Mazao ya mwenye haki ni mti wa uzima; Na mwenye hekima huvuta roho za watu.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31
Tazama, mwenye haki atalipwa duniani; Basi mwovu na mkosaji si mara nyingi zaidi?</p>
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!