1
Mwana mwenye hekima husikiliza mausia ya babaye; Bali mwenye dharau hasikilizi maonyo.
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
2
Mtu atakula mema kwa matunda ya kinywa chake; Bali nafsi ya mtu haini itakula jeuri.
From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.
3
Yeye alindaye kinywa chake huilinda nafsi yake; Bali afunuaye midomo yake atapata uharibifu.
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
4
Nafsi ya mtu mvivu hutamani asipate kitu; Bali nafsi ya mwenye bidii itanenepeshwa.
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
5
Mwenye haki huchukia kusema uongo; Bali mtu mbaya huwa karaha, hupatwa na aibu.
The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
6
Haki humlinda yeye aliye mnyofu katika njia yake; Bali ubaya humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.
7
Kuna mtu mwenye kujitajirisha, lakini hana kitu; Kuna ajifanyaye kuwa maskini, lakini ana mali nyingi.
One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8
Dia ya nafsi ya mtu ni utajiri wake; Bali mtu maskini hasikii ogofyo lo lote.
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
9
Nuru ya mwenye haki yang'aa sana; Bali taa ya mtu mbaya itazimika.
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
10
Kiburi huleta mashindano tu; Bali hekima hukaa nao wanaoshauriana.
Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
11
Mali iliyopatikana kwa haraka itapunguka; Bali yeye achumaye kidogo kidogo atazidishiwa.
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.
12
Kilichotarajiwa kikikawia kuja, moyo huugua. Bali haja ya mtu ikipatikana, ni mti wa uzima.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13
Kila alidharauye neno hujiletea uharibifu; Bali yeye aiogopaye amri atapewa thawabu.
He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.
14
Sheria ya mwenye akili ni chemchemi ya uzima, Ili kuepukana na tanzi za mauti.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
15
Ufahamu mwema huleta upendeleo; Bali njia ya haini huparuza.
Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
16
Kila aliye na busara hutenda kazi kwa maarifa; Bali mpumbavu hueneza upumbavu.
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
17
Mjumbe mbaya huanguka maovuni; Bali mjumbe mwaminifu ni afya.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18
Umaskini na fedheha zitampata yeye akataaye kurudiwa; Bali yeye aangaliaye maonyo ataheshimiwa.
Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19
Haja iliyopatikana ni tamu nafsini mwa mtu; Bali kujitenga na maovu ni chukizo kwa wapumbavu.
Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools.
20
Enenda pamoja na wenye hekima, nawe utakuwa na hekima; Bali rafiki wa wapumbavu ataumia.
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21
Uovu huwaandamia wenye dhambi; Bali mwenye haki atalipwa mema.
Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22
Mtu mwema huwaachia wana wa wanawe urithi; Na mali ya mkosaji huwa akiba kwa mwenye haki.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
23
Chakula kingi chapatikana kwa ukulima wa maskini; Bali viko viharibiwavyo kwa sababu ya dhuluma.
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.
24
Yeye asiyetumia fimbo yake humchukia mwanawe; Bali yeye ampendaye humrudi mapema.
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
25
Mwenye haki hula akaishibisha nafsi yake; Bali tumbo la mtu mbaya litaona njaa.
A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.