1
Mwanangu, usiisahau sheria yangu, Bali moyo wako uzishike amri zangu.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2
Maana zitakuongezea wingi wa siku. Na miaka ya uzima, na amani.
for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.
3
Rehema na kweli zisifarakane nawe; Zifunge shingoni mwako; Ziandike juu ya kibao cha moyo wako.
Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4
Ndivyo utakavyopata kibali na akili nzuri, Mbele za Mungu na mbele ya mwanadamu.
Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
5
Mtumaini Bwana kwa moyo wako wote, Wala usizitegemee akili zako mwenyewe;
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6
Katika njia zako zote mkiri yeye, Naye atayanyosha mapito yako.
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7
Usiwe mwenye hekima machoni pako; Mche Bwana, ukajiepushe na uovu.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8
Itakuwa afya mwilini pako, Na mafuta mifupani mwako.
This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9
Mheshimu Bwana kwa mali yako, Na kwa malimbuko ya mazao yako yote.
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10
Ndipo ghala zako zitakapojazwa kwa wingi, Na mashinikizo yako yatafurika divai mpya.
then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11
Mwanangu, usidharau kuadhibiwa na Bwana, Wala usione ni taabu kurudiwa naye.
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;
12
Kwa kuwa Bwana ampendaye humrudi, Kama vile baba mwanawe ampendezaye.
for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.
13
Heri mtu yule aonaye hekima, Na mtu yule apataye ufahamu.
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
14
Maana biashara yake ni bora kuliko biashara ya fedha, Na faida yake ni nyingi kuliko dhahabu safi.
for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
15
Yeye ana thamani kuliko marijani, Wala vyote uvitamanivyo havilingani naye.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.
16
Ana wingi wa siku katika mkono wake wa kuume, Utajiri na heshima katika mkono wake wa kushoto.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17
Njia zake ni njia za kupendeza sana, Na mapito yake yote ni amani.
All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
18
Yeye ni mti wa uzima kwao wamshikao sana; Ana heri kila mtu ashikamanaye naye.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
19
Kwa hekima Bwana aliiweka misingi ya nchi; Kwa akili zake akazifanya mbingu imara;
The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
20
Kwa maarifa yake vilindi viligawanyika; Na mawingu yadondoza umande.
By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.
21
Mwanangu, yasiondoke haya machoni pako, Shika hekima kamili na busara.
My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
22
Basi yatakuwa uzima kwa nafsi yako, Na neema shingoni mwako.
They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
23
Ndipo utakapokwenda katika njia yako salama, Wala mguu wako hautakwaa.
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
24
Ulalapo hutaona hofu; Naam, utalala na usingizi wako utakuwa mtamu.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
25
Usiogope hofu ya ghafula, Wala uharibifu wa waovu utakapofika.
Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26
Kwa kuwa Bwana atakuwa tumaini lako, Naye atakulinda mguu wako usinaswe.
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
27
Usiwanyime watu mema yaliyo haki yao, Ikiwa katika uwezo wa mkono wako kuyatenda.
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
28
Usimwambie jirani yako, Nenda, urudi halafu, na kesho nitakupa; Nawe unacho kitu kile karibu nawe.
Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means.
29
Usiwaze mabaya juu ya jirani yako, Ambaye anakaa karibu nawe na kujiona salama.
Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.
30
Usishindane na mtu bila sababu, Ikiwa hakukudhuru kwa lo lote.
Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
31
Usimhusudu mtu mwenye jeuri, Wala usiichague mojawapo ya njia zake.
Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
32
Maana mtu mkaidi ni chukizo kwa Bwana, Bali siri yake ni pamoja na wanyofu.
for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.
33
Laana ya Bwana i katika nyumba ya waovu, Bali huibariki maskani ya mwenye haki.
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.
34
Hakika yake huwadharau wenye dharau, Bali huwapa wanyenyekevu neema.
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
35
Wenye hekima wataurithi utukufu, Bali kukuzwa kwa wapumbavu ni fedheha.
The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.