1
Mwanangu, kama umekuwa mdhamini wa rafiki yako, Ikiwa wewe na mgeni mmepana mikono,
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger,
2
Basi umetegwa kwa maneno ya kinywa chako, Umekamatwa kwa maneno ya kinywa chako,
if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth,
3
Sasa, mwanangu, fanya hivi ukajiokoe, Kwa kuwa umejitia mkononi mwa jirani yako; Nenda ukanyenyekee, na kumsihi jirani yako.
then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor.
4
Usiache macho yako kupata usingizi, Wala kope za macho yako kusinzia.
Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.
5
Ujiponye kama paa na mkono wa mwindaji, Na kama ndege katika mkono wa mtega mitego.
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6
Ewe mvivu, mwendee chungu, Zitafakari njia zake ukapate hekima.
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
7
Kwa maana yeye hana akida, Wala msimamizi, wala mkuu,
Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler,
8
Lakini hujiwekea akiba ya chakula wakati wa jua; Hukusanya chakula chake wakati wa mavuno.
it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.
9
Ewe mvivu, utalala hata lini? Utaondoka lini katika usingizi wako?
How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?
10
Bado kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, Bado kukunja mikono upate usingizi!
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
11
Hivyo umaskini wako huja kama mnyang'anyi, Na uhitaji wako kama mtu mwenye silaha.
and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
12
Mtu asiyefaa kitu, mtu wa uovu; Huenda njiani mwenye kinywa cha upotofu.
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth,
13
Hukonyeza kwa macho, hunena kwa miguu, Huwaashiria watu kwa vidole vyake.
winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers.
14
Mna upotofu moyoni mwake, hutunga uovu daima, Hupanda mbegu za magomvi.
With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.
15
Basi msiba utampata kwa ghafula; Ghafula atavunjika, bila njia ya kupona.
Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery.
16
Kuna vitu sita anavyovichukia Bwana; Naam, viko saba vilivyo chukizo kwake.
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
17
Macho ya kiburi, ulimi wa uongo, Na mikono imwagayo damu isiyo na hatia;
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18
Moyo uwazao mawazo mabaya; Miguu iliyo myepesi kukimbilia maovu;
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,
19
Shahidi wa uongo asemaye uongo; Naye apandaye mbegu za fitina kati ya ndugu.
a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
20
Mwanangu, shika maagizo ya baba yako, Wala usiiache sheria ya mama yako.
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
21
Yafunge hayo katika moyo wako daima; Jivike hayo shingoni mwako.
Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck.
22
Uendapo yatakuongoza, ulalapo yatakulinda, Na uamkapo yatazungumza nawe.
When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
23
Maana maagizo hayo ni taa, na sheria hiyo ni nuru, Na maonyo ya kumwadilisha mtu ni njia ya uzima.
For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,
24
Yakulinde na mwanamke mwovu, asikupate, Na kukuponya na ubembelezi wa mgeni.
to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25
Usiutamani uzuri wake moyoni mwako; Wala usikubali akunase kwa kope za macho yake.
Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
26
Maana kwa malaya mtu hutiwa katika hali ya kuhitaji kipande cha mkate; Na kahaba humwinda mtu anase nafsi yake iliyo ya thamani
For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
27
Je! Mtu aweza kuua moto kifuani pake, Na nguo zake zisiteketezwe?
Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned?
28
Je! Mtu aweza kukanyaga makaa ya moto, Na nyayo zake zisiungue?
Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?
29
Ndivyo alivyo aingiaye kwa mke wa jirani yake; Kila mtu amgusaye huyo atakuwa na hatia.
So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30
Watu hawamdharau mwivi, Akiiba ili kujishibisha, iwapo aona njaa;
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.
31
Lakini akipatikana, atalipa mara saba; Atatoa mali yote ya nyumba yake.
Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.
32
Mtu aziniye na mwanamke hana akili kabisa; Afanya jambo litakalomwangamiza nafsi yake.
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.
33
Atapata jeraha na kuvunjiwa heshima; Wala fedheha yake haitafutika.
Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away.
34
Maana wivu ni ghadhabu ya mtu; Wala hatahurumia siku ya kujilipiza kisasi.
For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance.
35
Hatakubali ukombozi uwao wote; Wala hatakuwa radhi, ujapomlipa vitu vingi.
He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts.