1 Mbiimbi unotizha nenguba kusina unotatana naye,
koga balulwami bakasimamoyo se shumba.
2 Shango ha ina jinyo inobe ne batungamili banjinji,
koga ha kuna balume bana kuhwisisa ne luzibo
ingagadzikana kwe tjibaka.
3 Nshayi unotshambilidza bashayi
ivula inona ikuba isiya kusina tjinojiwa.
4 Ibabo basingatobele nlayo banolumbidza babi,
koga ibo banotobela nlayo banogwisana nabo.
5 Bathu babi abatohwisisa kutambunuka,
koga ibo banoshaka Yahwe banonhwisisa kwakapelela.
6 Nshayi unoyenda zila dzakatambunuka,
unopinda mfumi unotobela zila dzakakombama.
7 Iye unotjengeta nlayo nkololo wakatjenjela,
koga nkwinya we magovu unobhatisa tate babe shoni.
8 Iye unopaphidza fumwa iye nge kuzwalisa mari,
unokubunganyila iwoyo una buthu ku bashayi.
9 Iye unozwina zebe kuti asihwe nlayo
ne ntembezelo uwe unoshimisa.
10 Iye unotungamilila bakatambunuka ku zila yakabipa,
unowowila mu gomba lile,
koga basina nlandu banowobe ne thaka yakanaka.
11 Nfumi wakatjenjela muna awe mesho,
koga nshayi wakatjenjela, unombonyolola.
12 Ha balulwami bekunda, kobe ne kushatha kukulu,
koga ha batjinyi bemusa nsholo, balume banobgwata.
13 Iye unosumbika matjinyo awe aatobhudilila,
koga iye unoadusila patjena ebuya ealasha unowohwigwa ngoni.
14 Kwakakombolegwa nthu unotja Yahwe tjibaka tjose,
koga iye unokukutadza moyo uwe unowowila mu mbatsha.
15 Se shumba inobomba kene bhira ikutjulukila,
ndizo zwinoyita mbusi we mbiimbi pezhugwi kwe bashayi.
16 Mbusi usina hwisiso ntshambilidzi we moyo wakabipa,
koga unoshima kutjiba unowopaphidza mazhuba awe.
17 Ha nlume e lemegwa ne lopa le nthu waakabulaya,
ngaabe ntizhi kuswikila e fa,
kushaye unombhatsha.
18 Iye unotjila asina nlandu unowotjidziwa,
koga iye we zila dzakaleleka unowowila mu gomba.
19 Iye unolima nnda uwe unowowana zojiwa zwinjinji,
koga iye unotobelela zwisina nshingo unowobe ne bushayi bukulu.
20 Nthu unogalamoyo unowobe ne makombolelo akawanda,
koga iye una phupu dze fumwa haangashaye shamu.
21 Kushalawula bathu akuzonaka,
koga ne bhemu le tjiwunga nthu unowotjinya.
22 Nthu unonyimana unotizhilila fumwa,
koga aatoziba kuti kusheta kowonzhila.
23 Iye unotjemela mmwe unowoti shule kadiwa kwazo,
kupinda iye unotjebela nge lulimi.
24 Iye unotolela tate babe kene mmeyabe,
ekoti, “Ikoku atekuli tjinya,”
nkwinya we nthu unotjinya.
25 Nthu we govu unogwisanya,
koga iye unogalamoyo muna Yahwe unowobhudilila.
26 Iye unogalamoyo mu nkumbulo uwe tjilengwe,
koga iye unoyenda mu butjenjedu unowosungunugwa.
27 Iye unopa bashayi aatowosheta,
koga iye unosumbika mesho unowowana bhiso.
28 Ha babiibi bemusa nsholo, balume banobgwata,
ngono ha beloba balulwami banopaphidzika.
1 The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.
2 When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another. But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders.
3 Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops.
4 If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.
5 Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the Lord understand it well.
6 Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.
7 Young people who obey the law are intelligent. Those who make friends with good-for-nothings are a disgrace to their parents.
8 If you get rich by charging interest and taking advantage of people, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.
9 If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.
10 If you trick an honest person into doing evil, you will fall into your own trap.
The innocent will be well rewarded.
11 Rich people always think they are wise, but a poor person who has insight into character knows better.
12 When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.
13 You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.
14 Always obey the Lord and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.
15 Poor people are helpless against a wicked ruler; he is as dangerous as a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16 A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.
17 Someone guilty of murder is digging his own grave as fast as he can. Don't try to stop him.
18 Be honest and you will be safe. If you are dishonest, you will suddenly fall.
19 A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. People who waste time will always be poor.
20 Honest people will lead a full, happy life. But if you are in a hurry to get rich, you are going to be punished.
21 Prejudice is wrong. But some judges will do wrong to get even the smallest bribe.
22 Selfish people are in such a hurry to get rich that they do not know when poverty is about to strike.
23 Correct someone, and afterward he will appreciate it more than flattery.
24 Anyone who thinks it isn't wrong to steal from his parents is no better than a common thief.
25 Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the Lord.
26 It is foolish to follow your own opinions. Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.
27 Give to the poor and you will never be in need. If you close your eyes to the poor, many people will curse you.
28 People stay in hiding when the wicked come to power. But when they fall from power, the righteous will rule again.