1
Kila apendaye mafundisho hupenda maarifa; Bali yeye achukiaye kulaumiwa ni kama mnyama.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
2
Mtu mwema atapata upendeleo kwa Bwana; Bali mtu wa hila atahukumiwa naye.
The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
3
Mtu hatathibitika kwa njia ya uovu; Shina la mwenye haki halitaondolewa kamwe.
A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4
Mwanamke mwema ni taji ya mumewe; Bali aaibishaye ni kama kuoza mifupani mwake.
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
5
Mawazo ya mwenye haki ni adili; Bali mashauri ya mtu mwovu ni hadaa.
The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
6
Maneno ya waovu huotea damu; Bali kinywa cha wanyofu kitawaokoa.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7
Waovu huangamia, hata hawako tena; Bali nyumba ya mwenye haki itasimama.
The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
8
Mtu atasifiwa kwa kadiri ya akili zake; Bali mwenye moyo wa ukaidi atadharauliwa.
A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
9
Afadhali mtu anayedharauliwa, ikiwa ana mtumwa, Kuliko ajisifuye, ikiwa anahitaji chakula.
Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
10
Mwenye haki huufikiri uhai wa mnyama wake; Bali huruma za mtu mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
11
Alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele; Bali afuataye mambo ya upuzi hana ufahamu.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12
Asiye haki hutamani nyavu za wabaya; Bali shina lao wenye haki huleta matunda.
The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13
Katika kosa la midomo kuna mtego kwa mbaya; Bali mwenye haki atatoka katika taabu.
An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
14
Mtu atashiba mema kwa matunda ya kinywa chake; Na atarudishiwa matendo ya mikono yake.
By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.
15
Njia ya mpumbavu imenyoka machoni pake mwenyewe; Bali yeye aliye na hekima husikiliza shauri.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
16
Ghadhabu ya mpumbavu hujulika mara; Bali mtu mwerevu husitiri aibu.
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17
Atamkaye maneno ya kweli hufunua haki; Bali shahidi wa uongo hutamka hila.
He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
18
Kuna anenaye bila kufikiri, kama kuchoma kwa upanga; Bali ulimi wa mwenye haki ni afya.
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19
Mdomo wa kweli utathibitishwa milele; Bali ulimi wa uongo ni wa kitambo tu.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20
Hila imo mioyoni mwao wafikirio uovu; Bali wafanyao mashauri ya amani, kwao kuna furaha.
Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
21
Mwenye haki hatapatikana na msiba wo wote; Bali wasio haki watajazwa mabaya.
No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22
Midomo ya uongo ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali watendao uaminifu ndio furaha yake.
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23
Mwanadamu mwenye busara husitiri maarifa; Bali moyo wa wapumbavu hutangaza upumbavu.
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
24
Mkono wa mwenye bidii utatawala; Bali mvivu atalipishwa kodi.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25
Uzito katika moyo wa mtu huuinamisha; Bali neno jema huufurahisha.
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
26
Mwenye haki ni kiongozi cha mwenzake; Bali njia ya wasio haki huwakosesha.
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
27
Mtu mvivu hapiki mawindo yake; Bali mwenye bidii anazo mali za thamani.
A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
28
Katika njia ya haki kuna uhai; Wala hakuna mauti katika mapito yake.
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.