1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction:
But a scorner heareth not rebuke.
Mwana mwenye hekima husikiliza mausia ya babaye; Bali mwenye dharau hasikilizi maonyo.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth:
But the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
Mtu atakula mema kwa matunda ya kinywa chake; Bali nafsi ya mtu haini itakula jeuri.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:
But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Yeye alindaye kinywa chake huilinda nafsi yake; Bali afunuaye midomo yake atapata uharibifu.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing:
But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Nafsi ya mtu mvivu hutamani asipate kitu; Bali nafsi ya mwenye bidii itanenepeshwa.
5 A righteous man hateth lying:
But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
Mwenye haki huchukia kusema uongo; Bali mtu mbaya huwa karaha, hupatwa na aibu.
6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way:
But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Haki humlinda yeye aliye mnyofu katika njia yake; Bali ubaya humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:
There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
Kuna mtu mwenye kujitajirisha, lakini hana kitu; Kuna ajifanyaye kuwa maskini, lakini ana mali nyingi.
8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches:
But the poor heareth not rebuke.
Dia ya nafsi ya mtu ni utajiri wake; Bali mtu maskini hasikii ogofyo lo lote.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth:
But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Nuru ya mwenye haki yang'aa sana; Bali taa ya mtu mbaya itazimika.
10 Only by pride cometh contention:
But with the well advised is wisdom.
Kiburi huleta mashindano tu; Bali hekima hukaa nao wanaoshauriana.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished:
But he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Mali iliyopatikana kwa haraka itapunguka; Bali yeye achumaye kidogo kidogo atazidishiwa.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:
But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Kilichotarajiwa kikikawia kuja, moyo huugua. Bali haja ya mtu ikipatikana, ni mti wa uzima.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed:
But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
Kila alidharauye neno hujiletea uharibifu; Bali yeye aiogopaye amri atapewa thawabu.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To depart from the snares of death.
Sheria ya mwenye akili ni chemchemi ya uzima, Ili kuepukana na tanzi za mauti.
15 Good understanding giveth favour:
But the way of transgressors is hard.
Ufahamu mwema huleta upendeleo; Bali njia ya haini huparuza.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge:
But a fool layeth open his folly.
Kila aliye na busara hutenda kazi kwa maarifa; Bali mpumbavu hueneza upumbavu.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief:
But a faithful ambassador is health.
Mjumbe mbaya huanguka maovuni; Bali mjumbe mwaminifu ni afya.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction:
But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Umaskini na fedheha zitampata yeye akataaye kurudiwa; Bali yeye aangaliaye maonyo ataheshimiwa.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:
But it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
Haja iliyopatikana ni tamu nafsini mwa mtu; Bali kujitenga na maovu ni chukizo kwa wapumbavu.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:
But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Enenda pamoja na wenye hekima, nawe utakuwa na hekima; Bali rafiki wa wapumbavu ataumia.
21 Evil pursueth sinners:
But to the righteous good shall be repaid.
Uovu huwaandamia wenye dhambi; Bali mwenye haki atalipwa mema.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children:
And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Mtu mwema huwaachia wana wa wanawe urithi; Na mali ya mkosaji huwa akiba kwa mwenye haki.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor:
But there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
Chakula kingi chapatikana kwa ukulima wa maskini; Bali viko viharibiwavyo kwa sababu ya dhuluma.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son:
But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Yeye asiyetumia fimbo yake humchukia mwanawe; Bali yeye ampendaye humrudi mapema.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul:
But the belly of the wicked shall want.
Mwenye haki hula akaishibisha nafsi yake; Bali tumbo la mtu mbaya litaona njaa.
