1
Afadhali maskini aendaye katika unyofu wake, Kuliko mpotofu wa midomo aliye mpumbavu.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2
Tena si vizuri nafsi ya mtu ikose maarifa; Naye afanyaye haraka kwa miguu hutenda dhambi.
Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3
Upumbavu wa mtu hupotosha njia yake; Na moyo wake hununa juu ya Bwana.
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4
Utajiri huongeza rafiki wengi; Bali maskini hutengwa na rafiki yake.
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5
Shahidi wa uongo hakosi ataadhibiwa; Wala asemaye uongo hataokoka.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6
Watu wengi watamsihi mkuu ili awafadhili; Na kila mtu ni rafiki yake atoaye tunu.
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7
Ndugu zote wa maskini humchukia; Jinsi gani rafiki zake huzidi kujitenga naye! Huwafuata kwa maneno, lakini wametoweka.
All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.
8
Apataye hekima hujipenda nafsi yake; Ashikaye ufahamu atapata mema.
He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9
Shahidi wa uongo hakosi ataadhibiwa; Naye asemaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10
Maisha ya anasa hayampasi mpumbavu; Sembuse mtumwa awatawale wakuu.
Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11
Busara ya mtu huiahirisha hasira yake; Nayo ni fahari yake kusamehe makosa.
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12
Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama ngurumo ya simba; Bali hisani yake kama umande juu ya majani.
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13
Mwana mpumbavu ni msiba kwa babaye; Na ugomvi wa mke kama kutona-tona daima.
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14
Nyumba na mali ni urithi apatao mtu kwa babaye; Bali mke mwenye busara, mtu hupewa na Bwana.
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15
Uvivu humtia mtu katika usingizi mzito; Na nafsi yake mvivu itaona njaa.
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16
Yeye aihifadhiye amri huihifadhi nafsi yake; Bali yeye asiyeziangalia njia zake atakufa.
He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17
Amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana; Naye atamlipa kwa tendo lake jema.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18
Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana liko tumaini; Wala usiikaze nafsi yako kwa kuangamia kwake.
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19
Mtu wa hasira nyingi atachukua adhabu yake, Maana ujapomwokoa huna budi kufanya tena.
A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20
Sikiliza mashauri, ukapokee mafundisho, Upate kuwa na hekima siku zako za mwisho.
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21
Mna hila nyingi moyoni mwa mtu; Lakini shauri la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22
Haja ya mwanadamu ni hisani yake; Ni afadhali maskini kuliko mwongo.
The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23
Kumcha Bwana huelekea uhai; Atakaa ameshiba; hatajiliwa na ubaya.
The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24
Mtu mvivu hutia mkono wake sahanini; Ila hataki hata kuupeleka kinywani pake.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25
Mpige mwenye mzaha, na mjinga atapata busara; Mwonye mwenye ufahamu, naye atatambua maarifa.
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26
Apotezaye mali za babaye na kumfukuza mamaye, Ni mwana aaibishaye, na kuleta lawama.
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27
Mwanangu, acha kusikia mafundisho, Ukitaka tu kuyaasi maneno ya maarifa.
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28
Shahidi asiyefaa kitu hudhihaki hukumu, Na vinywa vya wasio haki humeza uovu.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29
Hukumu zimewekwa tayari kwa wenye mzaha; Na mapigo kwa mgongo wa wapumbavu.
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.