1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
Than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Afadhali maskini aendaye katika unyofu wake, Kuliko mpotofu wa midomo aliye mpumbavu.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good;
And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
Tena si vizuri nafsi ya mtu ikose maarifa; Naye afanyaye haraka kwa miguu hutenda dhambi.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way:
And his heart fretteth against the LORD.
Upumbavu wa mtu hupotosha njia yake; Na moyo wake hununa juu ya Bwana.
4 Wealth maketh many friends;
But the poor is separated from his neighbour.
Utajiri huongeza rafiki wengi; Bali maskini hutengwa na rafiki yake.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished,
And he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Shahidi wa uongo hakosi ataadhibiwa; Wala asemaye uongo hataokoka.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince:
And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Watu wengi watamsihi mkuu ili awafadhili; Na kila mtu ni rafiki yake atoaye tunu.
7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him:
How much more do his friends go far from him?
He pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him .
Ndugu zote wa maskini humchukia; Jinsi gani rafiki zake huzidi kujitenga naye! Huwafuata kwa maneno, lakini wametoweka.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul:
He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
Apataye hekima hujipenda nafsi yake; Ashikaye ufahamu atapata mema.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished,
And he that speaketh lies shall perish.
Shahidi wa uongo hakosi ataadhibiwa; Naye asemaye uongo ataangamia.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool;
Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Maisha ya anasa hayampasi mpumbavu; Sembuse mtumwa awatawale wakuu.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger;
And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Busara ya mtu huiahirisha hasira yake; Nayo ni fahari yake kusamehe makosa.
12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion;
But his favour is as dew upon the grass.
Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama ngurumo ya simba; Bali hisani yake kama umande juu ya majani.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father:
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
Mwana mpumbavu ni msiba kwa babaye; Na ugomvi wa mke kama kutona-tona daima.
14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers:
And a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Nyumba na mali ni urithi apatao mtu kwa babaye; Bali mke mwenye busara, mtu hupewa na Bwana.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep;
And an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Uvivu humtia mtu katika usingizi mzito; Na nafsi yake mvivu itaona njaa.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul;
But he that despiseth his ways shall die.
Yeye aihifadhiye amri huihifadhi nafsi yake; Bali yeye asiyeziangalia njia zake atakufa.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD;
And that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana; Naye atamlipa kwa tendo lake jema.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope,
And let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana liko tumaini; Wala usiikaze nafsi yako kwa kuangamia kwake.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment:
For if thou deliver him , yet thou must do it again.
Mtu wa hasira nyingi atachukua adhabu yake, Maana ujapomwokoa huna budi kufanya tena.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction,
That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Sikiliza mashauri, ukapokee mafundisho, Upate kuwa na hekima siku zako za mwisho.
21 There are many devices in a man's heart;
Nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Mna hila nyingi moyoni mwa mtu; Lakini shauri la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
22 The desire of a man is his kindness:
And a poor man is better than a liar.
Haja ya mwanadamu ni hisani yake; Ni afadhali maskini kuliko mwongo.
23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life:
And he that hath it shall abide satisfied;
He shall not be visited with evil.
Kumcha Bwana huelekea uhai; Atakaa ameshiba; hatajiliwa na ubaya.
24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Mtu mvivu hutia mkono wake sahanini; Ila hataki hata kuupeleka kinywani pake.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware:
And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
Mpige mwenye mzaha, na mjinga atapata busara; Mwonye mwenye ufahamu, naye atatambua maarifa.
26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother,
Is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
Apotezaye mali za babaye na kumfukuza mamaye, Ni mwana aaibishaye, na kuleta lawama.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction
That causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
Mwanangu, acha kusikia mafundisho, Ukitaka tu kuyaasi maneno ya maarifa.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment:
And the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
Shahidi asiyefaa kitu hudhihaki hukumu, Na vinywa vya wasio haki humeza uovu.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners,
And stripes for the back of fools.
Hukumu zimewekwa tayari kwa wenye mzaha; Na mapigo kwa mgongo wa wapumbavu.
