1
Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko mali nyingi; Na neema kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
2
Tajiri na maskini hukutana pamoja; Bwana ndiye aliyewaumba wote wawili.
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
3
Mwenye busara huyaona mabaya na kujificha; Bali wajinga huendelea mbele wakaumia.
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
4
Thawabu ya unyenyekevu ambao ni kumcha Bwana Ni utajiri, na heshima, nayo ni uzima.
The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
5
Miiba na mitego huwa katika njia ya mshupavu; Yeye aitunzaye nafsi yake atakuwa mbali nayo.
Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
6
Mlee mtoto katika njia impasayo, Naye hataiacha, hata atakapokuwa mzee.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
Tajiri humtawala maskini, Naye akopaye ni mtumwa wake akopeshaye.
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8
Yeye apandaye uovu atavuna msiba, Na fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itakoma.
He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9
Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa; Maana huwapa maskini chakula chake.
A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10
Mtupe nje mwenye dharau, na ugomvi utatoka; Naam, fitina na fedheha zitakoma.
Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
11
Apendaye usafi wa moyo, na neema ya midomo; Mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
12
Macho ya Bwana humhifadhi mwenye maarifa; Bali huyapindua maneno ya mtu haini.
The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
13
Mtu mvivu husema, Simba yuko nje; Nitauawa katika njia kuu.
The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
14
Kinywa cha malaya ni shimo refu; Anayechukiwa na Bwana atatumbukia ndani yake.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
15
Ujinga umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto; Lakini fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16
Yeye awaoneaye maskini ili kuongeza mapato, Naye ampaye tajiri, hupata hasara.
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
17
Tega sikio lako uyasikie maneno ya wenye hekima, na kuuelekeza moyo wako kwa maarifa yangu;
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
18
maana ni vizuri kuyahifadhi ndani yako, hali yakithibitika pamoja midomoni mwako.
for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
19
Ili matumaini yako uyaweke kwa Bwana, leo nimekujulisha wewe haya, naam, wewe.
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
20
Je! Sikukuandikia mambo makuu juu ya mashauri na juu ya maarifa;
Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21
ili kukujulisha hakika ya maneno ya kweli, uwarudishie wakutumao maneno ya kweli?
to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
22
Usimnyang'anye maskini, kwa kuwa ni maskini; Wala usimdhulumu mtu mnyonge langoni;
Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
23
Kwa sababu Bwana atawatetea; Naye atawateka uhai wao waliowateka.
for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
24
Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira nyingi; Wala usiende na mtu wa ghadhabu nyingi;
Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
25
Usije ukajifunza njia zake; Na kujipatia nafsi yako mtego.
or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
26
Usiwe mmoja wao wawekao rehani; Au walio wadhamini kwa deni za watu;
Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
27
Kama huna kitu cha kulipa; Kwani ukaondolee kitanda chako chini yako?
If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
28
Usiiondoe alama ya mpaka wa zamani, Uliowekwa na baba zako.
Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
29
Je! Wamwona mtu mwenye bidii katika kazi zake? Huyo atasimama mbele ya wafalme; Hatasimama mbele ya watu wasio na cheo.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.