1
Jawabu la upole hugeuza hasira; Bali neno liumizalo huchochea ghadhabu.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
Ulimi wa mwenye hekima hutamka maarifa vizuri; Bali vinywa vya wapumbavu humwaga upumbavu.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
3
Macho ya Bwana yako kila mahali; Yakimchunguza mbaya na mwema.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
4
Ulimi safi ni mti wa uzima; Bali ukorofi wa ulimi huvunja moyo.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5
Mpumbavu hudharau kurudiwa na babaye; Bali yeye aangaliaye maonyo hupata busara.
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
6
Katika nyumba ya mwenye haki mna akiba nyingi; Bali mapato ya mtu mbaya huwa taabu tu.
The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
7
Midomo ya mwenye haki hueneza maarifa; Bali moyo wa mpumbavu haufanyi hivyo.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
8
Sadaka ya mtu mbaya ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali maombi ya mtu mnyofu ni furaha yake.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9
Njia ya mtu mbaya ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali humpenda mtu afuatiaye wema.
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
10
Adhabu kali ina yeye aiachaye njia; Naye achukiaye kukemewa atakufa.
Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
11
Kuzimu na Uharibifu vi wazi mbele za Bwana; Si zaidi basi, mioyo ya wanadamu?
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!
12
Mwenye mzaha hapendi kukaripiwa; Wala yeye hawaendei wenye hekima.
A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
13
Moyo wa furaha huchangamsha uso; Bali kwa huzuni ya moyo roho hupondeka.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
14
Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hutafuta maarifa; Bali kinywa cha wapumbavu hula upumbavu.
A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15
Siku zote za mtu ateswaye ni mbaya; Bali ukunjufu wa moyo ni karamu ya daima.
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16
Kuwa na mali chache pamoja na kumcha Bwana; Ni bora kuliko mali nyingi pamoja na taabu.
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
17
Chakula cha mboga penye mapendano; Ni bora kuliko ng'ombe aliyenona pamoja na kuchukiana.
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
18
Mtu wa hasira huchochea ugomvi; Bali asiye mwepesi wa hasira hutuliza mashindano.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
19
Njia ya mtu mvivu ni kama boma la miiba; Bali mapito yao wenye unyofu hufanyika njia kuu.
The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20
Mwana mwenye hekima humfurahisha babaye; Bali mpumbavu humdharau mamaye.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21
Upumbavu ni furaha kwake aliyepungukiwa na akili; Bali mwenye ufahamu huunyosha mwenendo wake.
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
22
Pasipo mashauri makusudi hubatilika; Bali kwa wingi wa washauri huthibithika.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23
Mtu hulifurahia jibu la kinywa chake; Na neno linenwalo wakati wa kufaa ni jema kama nini!
A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
24
Kwa mtu mwenye akili njia ya uhai huenda juu; Ili atoke katika kuzimu chini.
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25
Bwana ataing'oa nyumba ya mwenye kiburi; Bali atauthibitisha mpaka wa mjane.
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
26
Mashauri mabaya ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali maneno yapendezayo ni safi.
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
27
Atamaniye faida huifadhaisha nyumba yake mwenyewe; Bali achukiaye zawadi ataishi.
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28
Moyo wa mwenye haki hufikiri jinsi atakavyojibu; Bali kinywa cha wasio haki humwaga mabaya.
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
29
Bwana yu mbali na wasio haki; Bali huisikia sala ya mwenye haki.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30
Mng'ao wa macho huufurahisha moyo; Habari njema huinenepesha mifupa.
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
31
Sikio lisikilizalo lawama yenye uhai Litakaa kati yao wenye hekima.
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32
Akataaye maonyo huidharau nafsi yake mwenyewe; Bali yeye asikilizaye lawama hujipatia ufahamu.
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
33
Kumcha Bwana ni maonyo ya hekima; Na kabla ya heshima hutangulia unyenyekevu.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.