1
Wanangu, yasikilizeni mausia ya baba yenu, Tegeni masikio mpate kujua ufahamu.
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2
Kwa kuwa nawapa mafundisho mazuri; Msiiache sheria yangu.
For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.
3
Maana nalikuwa mwana kwa baba yangu, Mpole, mpenzi wa pekee wa mama yangu.
When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,
4
Naye akanifundisha, akaniambia, Moyo wako uyahifadhi maneno yangu; Shika amri zangu ukaishi.
he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.
5
Jipatie hekima, jipatie ufahamu; usiusahau; Wala usiyakatae maneno ya kinywa changu.
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.
6
Usimwache, naye atakuhifadhi; Umpende, naye atakulinda.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.
7
Bora hekima, basi jipatie hekima; Naam, kwa mapato yako yote jipatie ufahamu.
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.
8
Umtukuze, naye atakukuza; Atakupatia heshima, ukimkumbatia.
Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
9
Atakupa neema kuwa kilemba kichwani; Na kukukirimia taji ya uzuri.
She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”
10
Mwanangu, sikiliza, na kuzipokea kauli zangu; Na miaka ya maisha yako itakuwa mingi.
Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.
11
Nimekufundisha katika njia ya hekima; Nimekuongoza katika mapito ya unyofu.
I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.
12
Uendapo, hatua zako hazitadhiikika, Wala ukipiga mbio hutajikwaa.
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.
13
Mkamate sana elimu, usimwache aende zake; Mshike, maana yeye ni uzima wako.
Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
14
Usiingie katika njia ya waovu, Wala usitembee katika njia ya wabaya.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
15
Jiepushe nayo, usipite karibu nayo, Igeukie mbali, ukaende zako.
Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.
16
Maana hawalali isipokuwa wametenda madhara; Huondolewa usingizi, ikiwa hawakumwangusha mtu.
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
17
Maana wao hula mkate wa uovu, Nao hunywa divai ya jeuri.
For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18
Bali njia ya wenye haki ni kama nuru ing'aayo, Ikizidi kung'aa hata mchana mkamilifu.
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
19
Njia ya waovu ni kama giza; Hawajui ni kitu gani kiwakwazacho.
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20
Mwanangu, sikiliza maneno yangu; Tega sikio lako, uzisikie kauli zangu.
My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21
Zisiondoke machoni pako; Uzihifadhi ndani ya moyo wako.
Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
22
Maana ni uhai kwa wale wazipatao, Na afya ya mwili wao wote.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
23
Linda moyo wako kuliko yote uyalindayo; Maana ndiko zitokako chemchemi za uzima.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
24
Kinywa cha ukaidi ukitenge nawe, Na midomo ya upotovu uiweke mbali nawe.
Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.
25
Macho yako yatazame mbele, Na kope zako zitazame mbele yako sawasawa.
Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
26
Ulisawazishe pito la mguu wako, Na njia zako zote zithibitike;
Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
27
Usigeuke kwa kuume wala kwa kushoto; Ondoa mguu wako maovuni.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.