1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh
And intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Ajitengaye na wenzake hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe; Hushindana na kila shauri jema.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But that his heart may discover itself.
Mpumbavu hapendezwi na ufahamu; Ila moyo wake udhihirike tu.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy reproach.
Ajapo asiye haki, huja dharau pia; Na pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters,
And the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni kama maji ya vilindi; Kijito kibubujikacho; chemchemi ya hekima.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked,
To overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Kukubali uso wake asiye haki si vizuri; Wala kumpotosha mwenye haki hukumuni.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for strokes.
Midomo ya mpumbavu huingia katika fitina, Na kinywa chake huita mapigo.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake, Na midomo yake ni mtego wa nafsi yake.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama vitoweo; Nayo hushukia pande za ndani za tumbo.
9 He also that is slothful in his work
Is brother to him that is a great waster.
Yeye naye aliye mvivu katika kazi yake, Ni ndugu yake aliye mharabu.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower:
The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara; Mwenye haki huikimbilia, akawa salama.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city,
And as an high wall in his own conceit.
Mali ya mtu tajiri ni mji wake wa nguvu; Ni kama ukuta mrefu katika mawazo yake.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
And before honour is humility.
Kabla ya uharibifu moyo wa mwanadamu hujivuna; Na kabla ya heshima hutangulia unyenyekevu.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it ,
It is folly and shame unto him.
Yeye ajibuye kabla hajasikia, Ni upumbavu na aibu kwake.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
But a wounded spirit who can bear?
Roho ya mtu itastahimili udhaifu wake; Bali roho iliyovunjika nani awezaye kuistahimili?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;
And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Moyo wa mwenye busara hupata maarifa; Na sikio la mwenye hekima hutafuta maarifa.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him,
And bringeth him before great men.
Zawadi ya mtu humpatia nafasi; Humleta mbele ya watu wakuu.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just;
But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Ajiteteaye kwanza huonekana kuwa ana haki; Lakini jirani yake huja na kumchunguza.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease,
And parteth between the mighty.
Kura hukomesha mashindano; Hukata maneno ya wakuu.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city:
And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuliko mji wa nguvu; Na mashindano ni kama mapingo ya ngome.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Tumbo la mtu litajazwa matunda ya kinywa chake; Atashiba mazao ya midomo yake.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue:
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Mauti na uzima huwa katika uwezo wa ulimi; Na wao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing ,
And obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema; Naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 The poor useth intreaties;
But the rich answereth roughly.
Maskini hutumia maombi; Bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:
And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Ajifanyiaye rafiki wengi ni kwa uangamivu wake mwenyewe; Lakini yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kuliko ndugu.
