1
Moyo wa mfalme huwa katika mkono wa Bwana; Kama mifereji ya maji huugeuza po pote apendapo.
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2
Kila njia ya mtu ni sawa machoni pake mwenyewe; Bali Bwana huipima mioyo.
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3
Kutenda haki na hukumu Humpendeza Bwana kuliko kutoa sadaka.
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4
Macho yenye kiburi, na moyo wa kutakabari, Hata ukulima wa waovu, ni dhambi.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5
Mawazo ya wenye bidii huuelekea utajiri tu; Bali kila mwenye pupa huuelekea uhitaji.
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6
Kupata akiba ya mali kwa ulimi wa uongo Ni moshi upeperushwao; ni kutafuta mauti.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7
Jeuri ya wabaya itawaondolea mbali; Kwa sababu wamekataa kutenda hukumu.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8
Njia yake aliyelemewa na dhambi imepotoka sana; Bali mtu aliye safi, kazi yake ni sawasawa.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9
Ni afadhali kukaa katika pembe ya darini, Kuliko katika nyumba pana pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10
Nafsi ya mtu mbaya hutamani uovu; Jirani yake hapati fadhili machoni pake.
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11
Mwenye mzaha aadhibiwapo, mjinga hupata hekima; Na mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupokea maarifa.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12
Mwenye haki huitafakari nyumba ya mtu mbaya; Jinsi wabaya waangushwavyo wakaangamia.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13
Azibaye masikio yake asisikie kilio cha maskini, Yeye naye atalia, lakini hatasikiwa.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14
Kipawa cha siri hutuliza hasira; Na rushwa bindoni humliza ghadhabu kali.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15
Ni furaha yao wenye haki kutenda hukumu; Lakini ni uharibifu kwao watendao maovu.
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16
Mtu aikosaye njia ya busara Atakaa katika mkutano wao waliokufa.
The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17
Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini; Apendaye mvinyo na mafuta hatakuwa tajiri.
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18
Mtu asiye haki ni fidia ya wenye haki; Naye afanyaye hila ni badala ya watu wa adili.
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19
Ni afadhali kukaa katika nchi ya nyika; Kuliko na mwanamke mgomvi, mchokozi.
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20
Kuna hazina ya thamani na mafuta katika maskani ya mwenye hekima; Bali mwanadamu aliye mpumbavu huyameza.
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21
Aandamaye haki na fadhili, Ataona uhai na haki na heshima.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22
Mwenye hekima huupandia mji wao wenye nguvu; Na kuziangusha nguvu za tumaini lao.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23
Mtu azuiaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake, Atajilinda nafsi yake na taabu.
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24
Mwenye kiburi na kutakabari, jina lake ni mbishi; Hutenda mambo katika majivuno ya kiburi chake.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.
25
Matakwa yake mtu mvivu humfisha, Kwa maana mikono yake hukataa kufanya kazi.
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26
Kuna atamaniye kwa choyo mchana kutwa; Bali mwenye haki hutoa wala hanyimi.
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27
Sadaka ya wasio haki ni chukizo; Si zaidi sana ailetapo mwenye nia mbaya!
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28
Shahidi wa uongo atapotea; Bali mtu asikiaye atasema maneno yadumuyo.
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29
Asiye haki huufanya uso wake kuwa mgumu; Bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiri njia zake.
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30
Hapana hekima, wala ufahamu, Wala shauri, juu ya Bwana.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31
Farasi huwekwa tayari kwa siku ya vita; Lakini Bwana ndiye aletaye wokovu.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.