1
Usijisifu kwa ajili ya kesho; Kwa maana hujui yatakayozaliwa na siku moja.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2
Mwingine na akusifu wala si kinywa chako mwenyewe; Mtu mgeni wala si midomo yako wewe.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
3
Jiwe ni zito, na mchanga hulemea; Lakini ghadhabu ya mpumbavu ni nzito kuliko hivi vyote viwili.
A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
4
Ghadhabu ni kali, na hasira ni gharika; Lakini ni nani awezaye kusimama mbele ya wivu.
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5
Lawama ya wazi ni heri, Kuliko upendo uliositirika.
Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
6
Jeraha utiwazo na rafiki ni amini; Bali kubusu kwa adui ni kwingi sana.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7
Nafsi iliyoshiba hukinai sega la asali; Bali nafsi yenye njaa huona kila kitu kichungu kuwa kitamu.
The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
8
Kama ndege aendaye huko na huko mbali na kitundu chake; Ndivyo alivyo mtu aendaye huko na huko mbali na mahali pake.
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
9
Marhamu na manukato huufurahisha moyo; Kadhalika utamu wa rafiki ya mtu utokao katika kusudi la moyo wake.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul.
10
Usimwache rafiki yako mwenyewe, wala rafiki ya baba yako, Wala usiende nyumbani mwa ndugu yako siku ya msiba wako. Afadhali jirani aliye karibu kuliko ndugu aliye mbali.
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11
Mwanangu, uwe na hekima na kunifurahisha moyo wangu; Ili nipate kumjibu anilaumuye.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
12
Mwenye busara huyaona mabaya na kujificha; Bali wajinga huendelea mbele wakaumia.
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
13
Twaa nguo yake amdhaminiye mgeni; Mtoza rehani aliye mdhamini wa malaya.
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
14
Mtu ambarikiye mwenzake kwa sauti kuu asubuhi na mapema; Itahesabiwa kuwa ni laana kwake.
If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
15
Kutona-tona daima siku ya mvua nyingi, Na mwanamke mgomvi ni sawasawa;
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
16
Atakaye kumzuia huyo huuzuia upepo; Na mkono wake wa kuume hukuta mafuta.
restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
17
Chuma hunoa chuma; Ndivyo mtu aunoavyo uso wa rafiki yake.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
18
Yeye autunzaye mtini atakula matunda yake; Naye amhudumiaye bwana wake ataheshimiwa.
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
19
Kama uso ufananavyo na uso katika maji; Kadhalika moyo wa mtu na mwenzake.
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
20
Kuzimu na Uharibifu havishibi; Wala macho ya wanadamu hayashibi.
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21
Kalibu ni kwa fedha, na tanuru kwa dhahabu; Na mtu hujaribiwa kwa sifa zake.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
22
Hata ukimtwanga mpumbavu kwa mchi kinuni pamoja na ngano; Upumbavu wake hautamtoka.
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23
Fanya bidii kuijua hali ya makundi yako; Na kuwaangalia sana ng'ombe zako.
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
24
Kwa maana mali haziwi za milele; Na taji je! Yadumu tangu kizazi hata kizazi?
for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
25
Manyasi huchukuliwa, na majani mabichi huonekana, Na maboga ya milimani hukusanyika.
When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered,
26
Wana-kondoo hufaa kwa mavazi yako; Na mbuzi ni thamani ya shamba
the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
27
Tena yatakuwapo maziwa ya mbuzi, Ya kukutosha kwa chakula chako, Na chakula cha watu wa nyumbani mwako, Na posho la vijakazi vyako.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.