1 A soft answer turneth away wrath:
But grievous words stir up anger.
Jawabu la upole hugeuza hasira; Bali neno liumizalo huchochea ghadhabu.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright:
But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Ulimi wa mwenye hekima hutamka maarifa vizuri; Bali vinywa vya wapumbavu humwaga upumbavu.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Beholding the evil and the good.
Macho ya Bwana yako kila mahali; Yakimchunguza mbaya na mwema.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:
But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Ulimi safi ni mti wa uzima; Bali ukorofi wa ulimi huvunja moyo.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction:
But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Mpumbavu hudharau kurudiwa na babaye; Bali yeye aangaliaye maonyo hupata busara.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure:
But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
Katika nyumba ya mwenye haki mna akiba nyingi; Bali mapato ya mtu mbaya huwa taabu tu.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge:
But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
Midomo ya mwenye haki hueneza maarifa; Bali moyo wa mpumbavu haufanyi hivyo.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD:
But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Sadaka ya mtu mbaya ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali maombi ya mtu mnyofu ni furaha yake.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD:
But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Njia ya mtu mbaya ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali humpenda mtu afuatiaye wema.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way:
And he that hateth reproof shall die.
Adhabu kali ina yeye aiachaye njia; Naye achukiaye kukemewa atakufa.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD:
How much more then the hearts of the children of men?
Kuzimu na Uharibifu vi wazi mbele za Bwana; Si zaidi basi, mioyo ya wanadamu?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him:
Neither will he go unto the wise.
Mwenye mzaha hapendi kukaripiwa; Wala yeye hawaendei wenye hekima.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Moyo wa furaha huchangamsha uso; Bali kwa huzuni ya moyo roho hupondeka.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge:
But the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hutafuta maarifa; Bali kinywa cha wapumbavu hula upumbavu.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil:
But he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Siku zote za mtu ateswaye ni mbaya; Bali ukunjufu wa moyo ni karamu ya daima.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD
Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Kuwa na mali chache pamoja na kumcha Bwana; Ni bora kuliko mali nyingi pamoja na taabu.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Chakula cha mboga penye mapendano; Ni bora kuliko ng'ombe aliyenona pamoja na kuchukiana.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife:
But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Mtu wa hasira huchochea ugomvi; Bali asiye mwepesi wa hasira hutuliza mashindano.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns:
But the way of the righteous is made plain.
Njia ya mtu mvivu ni kama boma la miiba; Bali mapito yao wenye unyofu hufanyika njia kuu.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father:
But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
Mwana mwenye hekima humfurahisha babaye; Bali mpumbavu humdharau mamaye.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom:
But a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Upumbavu ni furaha kwake aliyepungukiwa na akili; Bali mwenye ufahamu huunyosha mwenendo wake.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed:
But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Pasipo mashauri makusudi hubatilika; Bali kwa wingi wa washauri huthibithika.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:
And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
Mtu hulifurahia jibu la kinywa chake; Na neno linenwalo wakati wa kufaa ni jema kama nini!
24 The way of life is above to the wise,
That he may depart from hell beneath.
Kwa mtu mwenye akili njia ya uhai huenda juu; Ili atoke katika kuzimu chini.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud:
But he will establish the border of the widow.
Bwana ataing'oa nyumba ya mwenye kiburi; Bali atauthibitisha mpaka wa mjane.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD:
But the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Mashauri mabaya ni chukizo kwa Bwana; Bali maneno yapendezayo ni safi.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;
But he that hateth gifts shall live.
Atamaniye faida huifadhaisha nyumba yake mwenyewe; Bali achukiaye zawadi ataishi.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:
But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Moyo wa mwenye haki hufikiri jinsi atakavyojibu; Bali kinywa cha wasio haki humwaga mabaya.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked:
But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Bwana yu mbali na wasio haki; Bali huisikia sala ya mwenye haki.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart:
And a good report maketh the bones fat.
Mng'ao wa macho huufurahisha moyo; Habari njema huinenepesha mifupa.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life
Abideth among the wise.
Sikio lisikilizalo lawama yenye uhai Litakaa kati yao wenye hekima.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul:
But he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
Akataaye maonyo huidharau nafsi yake mwenyewe; Bali yeye asikilizaye lawama hujipatia ufahamu.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honour is humility.
Kumcha Bwana ni maonyo ya hekima; Na kabla ya heshima hutangulia unyenyekevu.
