1
Ajitengaye na wenzake hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe; Hushindana na kila shauri jema.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2
Mpumbavu hapendezwi na ufahamu; Ila moyo wake udhihirike tu.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3
Ajapo asiye haki, huja dharau pia; Na pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4
Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni kama maji ya vilindi; Kijito kibubujikacho; chemchemi ya hekima.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5
Kukubali uso wake asiye haki si vizuri; Wala kumpotosha mwenye haki hukumuni.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6
Midomo ya mpumbavu huingia katika fitina, Na kinywa chake huita mapigo.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake, Na midomo yake ni mtego wa nafsi yake.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama vitoweo; Nayo hushukia pande za ndani za tumbo.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9
Yeye naye aliye mvivu katika kazi yake, Ni ndugu yake aliye mharabu.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10
Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara; Mwenye haki huikimbilia, akawa salama.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11
Mali ya mtu tajiri ni mji wake wa nguvu; Ni kama ukuta mrefu katika mawazo yake.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12
Kabla ya uharibifu moyo wa mwanadamu hujivuna; Na kabla ya heshima hutangulia unyenyekevu.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13
Yeye ajibuye kabla hajasikia, Ni upumbavu na aibu kwake.
He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
14
Roho ya mtu itastahimili udhaifu wake; Bali roho iliyovunjika nani awezaye kuistahimili?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15
Moyo wa mwenye busara hupata maarifa; Na sikio la mwenye hekima hutafuta maarifa.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16
Zawadi ya mtu humpatia nafasi; Humleta mbele ya watu wakuu.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17
Ajiteteaye kwanza huonekana kuwa ana haki; Lakini jirani yake huja na kumchunguza.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18
Kura hukomesha mashindano; Hukata maneno ya wakuu.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuliko mji wa nguvu; Na mashindano ni kama mapingo ya ngome.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20
Tumbo la mtu litajazwa matunda ya kinywa chake; Atashiba mazao ya midomo yake.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21
Mauti na uzima huwa katika uwezo wa ulimi; Na wao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22
Apataye mke apata kitu chema; Naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23
Maskini hutumia maombi; Bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24
Ajifanyiaye rafiki wengi ni kwa uangamivu wake mwenyewe; Lakini yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kuliko ndugu.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.