1 Ndodana yami, nanzelela ukuhlakanipha kwami,
2 ukuze uhlale ukwazi ukukhetha okuqondileyo
3 Phela izindebe zesifebekazi zithonta uluju,
4 kodwa ekucineni iyababa ingathi yinyongo,
5 Inyawo zaso zehlela ekufeni;
6 Kasikhathali ukuthi kuphilwa njani;
7 Ngalokho-ke, madodana ami, ngilalelani;
8 Hambani ngendlela ekhatshana kwaso,
9 funa unikele kwabanye amandla akho wonke
10 funa abemzini bazitike ngenotho yakho
11 Ekupheleni kokuphila kwakho uzabubula,
12 Uzakuthi, “Uthi ngangikuzonda yini ukulaywa!
13 Ngangingafuni ukulalela abafundisi bami
14 Ngacina sengisenkingeni enkulu
15 Natha amanzi kowakho umgqomo,
16 Kambe imifudlana yakho ingayekelwa
17 Kazibe ngezakho wena wedwa,
18 Sengathi ungabusiswa umthombo wakho
19 Oyimpalakazi ethandekayo, imbabala ebutshelezi
20 Kungani ndodana yami,
21 Phela izindlela zomuntu zisobala kuThixo,
22 Izenzo ezimbi zomuntu omubi ziyamthiya;
23 Uzabhubha ngoba engalayeki,