1
Hekima umeijenga nyumba yake, Amezichonga nguzo zake saba;
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
2
Amechinja nyama zake, umechanganya divai yake, Ameiandalia meza yake pia.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3
Amewatuma wajakazi wake, analia, Mahali pa mjini palipoinuka sana,
She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
4
Kila aliye mjinga na aingie humu. Tena amwambia mtu aliyepungukiwa na akili,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
5
Njoo ule mkate wangu, Ukanywe divai niliyoichanganya.
“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
6
Enyi wajinga, acheni ujinga, mkaishi, Mkaende katika njia ya ufahamu.
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
7
Amkemeaye mwenye dharau hujipatia fedheha; Amkaripiaye mtu mbaya hujipatia aibu.
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
8
Usimkaripie mwenye dharau, asije akakuchukia; Mkaripie mwenye hekima, naye atakupenda.
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9
Mwelimishe mwenye hekima, naye atazidi kuwa na hekima; Mfundishe mwenye haki, naye atazidi kuwa na elimu;
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10
Kumcha Bwana ni mwanzo wa hekima; Na kumjua Mtakatifu ni ufahamu.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11
Maana, kwa msaada wangu siku zako zitazidishwa; Na miaka ya maisha yako itaongezwa.
For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12
Kama una hekima, una hekima kwa nafsi yako; Na kama una dharau, utaichukua peke yako.
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
13
Mwanamke mpumbavu hupiga kelele, Ni mjinga, hajui kitu.
The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
14
Hukaa mlangoni pa nyumba yake, Juu ya kiti mahali pa mjini palipoinuka,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
15
Apate kuwaita wapitao njiani, Waendao moja kwa moja katika njia zao.
calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
16
Kila aliye mjinga na aingie humu. Tena amwambia mtu aliyepungukiwa na akili,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
17
Maji yaliyoibiwa ni matamu, Na mkate ulioliwa kwa siri hupendeza.
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
18
Lakini huyo hajui ya kuwa wafu wamo humo; Ya kuwa wageni wake wamo chini kuzimuni.
But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.