1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
Mizani ya hadaa ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali vipimo vilivyo sawasawa humpendeza.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame:
But with the lowly is wisdom.
Kijapo kiburi ndipo ijapo aibu; Bali hekima hukaa na wanyenyekevu.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Ukamilifu wao wenye haki utawaongoza Bali ukaidi wao wenye fitina utawaangamiza.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath:
But righteousness delivereth from death.
Mali hazifaidii kitu siku ya ghadhabu; Bali haki huokoa na mauti.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way:
But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Haki yake mtu mkamilifu itamwongoza njia yake; Bali mtu mwovu ataanguka kwa uovu wake.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:
But transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
Haki yao wenye haki itawaokoa; Bali wafanyao fitina watanaswa kwa hila yao wenyewe.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:
And the hope of unjust men perisheth.
Mtu mwovu atakapokufa, taraja lake lapotea; Na matumaini ya uovu huangamia.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
And the wicked cometh in his stead.
Mwenye haki huokolewa katika dhiki, Na mtu mwovu ataiingia badala yake.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:
But through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Asiyemcha Mungu humpoteza jirani yake kwa kinywa chake; Bali wenye haki watapona kwa maarifa.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:
And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
Wenye haki wasitawipo, mji hufurahi; Waovu waangamiapo, watu hupiga kelele.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Mji hutukuzwa kwa mbaraka wa mwenye haki; Bali mji hupinduliwa kwa kinywa cha mwovu.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour:
But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
Asiye na akili humdharau mwenziwe; Bali mtu aliye na ufahamu hunyamaza.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets:
But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Mwenye kitango akisingizia hufunua siri; Bali mwenye roho ya uaminifu husitiri mambo.
14 Where no counsel is , the people fall:
But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Pasipo mashauri taifa huanguka; Bali kwa wingi wa washauri huja wokovu.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it:
And he that hateth suretiship is sure.
Amdhaminiye mgeni hakosi ataumia; Achukiaye mambo ya dhamana yu salama.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour:
And strong men retain riches.
Mwanamke wa adabu huheshimiwa daima; Na watu wakali hushika mali siku zote.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:
But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Mwenye rehema huitendea mema nafsi yake; Aliye mkali hujisumbua mwili wake.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work:
But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Mtu mwovu hupata mshahara wa udanganyifu; Apandaye haki ana thawabu ya hakika.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life:
So he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
Haki huelekea uzima; Afuataye maovu hufuata mauti yake mwenyewe.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD:
But such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Wenye kuhalifu moyoni ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Walio wakamilifu katika njia zao humpendeza.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished:
But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Hakika, mtu mwovu hatakosa adhabu; Bali wazao wa wenye haki wataokoka.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,
So is a fair woman which is without discretion.
Kama pete ya dhahabu katika pua ya nguruwe, Kadhalika mwanamke mzuri asiye na akili.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good:
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
Haja ya mwenye haki ni mema tu; Bali kutaraji kwake mtu mwovu ni ghadhabu.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;
And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
Kuna atawanyaye, lakini huongezewa zaidi; Kuna azuiaye isivyo haki, lakini huelekea uhitaji.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat:
And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Nafsi ya mtu mkarimu itawandishwa; Anyweshaye atanyweshwa mwenyewe.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him:
But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it .
Awanyimaye watu nafaka, watu watamlaani; Auzaye nafaka, baraka itakuwa kichwani pake.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour:
But he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
Atafutaye mema kwa bidii hutafuta fadhili; Atafutaye madhara, hayo yatamjia.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:
But the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Azitegemeaye mali zake ataanguka; Mwenye haki atasitawi kama jani.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:
And the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Ataabishaye nyumba yake mwenyewe ataurithi upepo; Mpumbavu atakuwa mtumwa wa mtu mwenye moyo wa akili.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
And he that winneth souls is wise.
Mazao ya mwenye haki ni mti wa uzima; Na mwenye hekima huvuta roho za watu.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:
Much more the wicked and the sinner.
Tazama, mwenye haki atalipwa duniani; Basi mwovu na mkosaji si mara nyingi zaidi?
