1
Kama theluji wakati wa joto, na mvua wakati wa mavuno; Kadhalika heshima haimpasi mpumbavu.
Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
2
Kama shomoro katika kutanga-tanga kwake, Na kama mbayuwayu katika kuruka kwake; Kadhalika laana isiyo na sababu haimpigi mtu.
Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3
Mjeledi kwa farasi, lijamu kwa punda, Na fimbo kwa mgongo wa mpumbavu.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4
Usimjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake; Usije ukafanana naye.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
5
Umjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake; Asije akawa mwenye hekima machoni pake.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6
Apelekaye ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu Hujikata miguu, na kunywa hasara.
Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
7
Miguu yake achechemeaye huwa dhaifu; Kadhalika mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8
Kama mfuko wa vito katika chungu ya mawe; Kadhalika mtu amheshimuye mpumbavu.
Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9
Kama mwiba uingiao katika mkono wa mlevi; Kadhalika mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10
Fundi stadi hufanyiza vitu vyote; Bali amwajiriye mpumbavu ni kama awaajiriye watu wapitao.
Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
11
Kama vile mbwa arudiavyo matapiko yake; Kadhalika mpumbavu afanya upumbavu tena.
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12
Je! Wamwona mtu mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe? Afadhali kumtumaini mpumbavu kuliko yeye.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13
Mtu mvivu husema, Simba yuko njiani, Simba yuko katika njia kuu.
The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
14
Kama vile mlango ugeukavyo katika bawaba zake; Kadhalika mtu mvivu katika kitanda chake.
As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
15
Mtu mvivu hutia mkono wake sahanini; Kwamchosha kuupeleka tena kinywani pake.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16
Mtu mvivu ni mwenye hekima machoni pake, Kuliko watu saba wawezao kutoa sababu.
The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
17
Mtu apitaye na kujisumbua kwa ugomvi usio wake; Ni kama mtu ashikaye mbwa kwa masikio yake.
Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18
Kama mtu mwenye wazimu atupaye mienge, Na mishale, na mauti;
Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
19
Ndivyo alivyo amdanganyaye mwenzake, Na kusema, Je! Sikufanya mzaha tu?
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20
Moto hufa kwa kukosa kuni; Na bila mchongezi fitina hukoma.
Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
21
Kama makaa juu ya makaa yanayowaka, Na kama kuni juu ya moto; Ndivyo mtu mgomvi achocheavyo uadui.
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22
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.
23
Midomo ijipendekezayo pamoja na moyo mbaya Ni kama kigae kilichofunikizwa taka za fedha.
Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24
Achukiaye huficha chuki kwa midomo yake; Naye huweka akiba ya hila moyoni mwake.
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
25
Anenapo maneno mazuri usimsadiki; Kwa maana ana machukizo saba moyoni mwake.
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26
Ingawa chuki hufunikizwa kwa hila; Uovu wake utadhihirika mbele ya kusanyiko.
Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27
Achimbaye shimo atatumbukia mwenyewe; Naye abingirishaye jiwe litamrudia.
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28
Ulimi unenao uongo huwachukia wale uliowajeruhi; Na kinywa cha kujipendekeza hutenda uharibifu.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.