1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
1Sezvakaita chando muzhizha, uye sezvakaita mvura mukukohwa, Saizvozvo kukudzwa hakufaniri benzi.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
2Sezvinoita shiri pakupaparika kwayo, nenyenganyenga pakubhururuka kwayo, Saizvozvo kutuka pasina mhosva hakuitiki.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
3Tyava yakaitirwa bhiza, namatomu mbongoro, Neshamhu musana wamapenzi.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
4Usapindura benzi noupenzi hwaro, Kuti urege kufanana naro.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
5Pindura benzi noupenzi hwaro, Kuti rirege kuti rakachenjera.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
6Anotuma shoko noruoko rwebenzi, Unozvigura tsoka, nokumwa kutambudzika.
7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
7Makumbo echirema anongoremberera; Ndizvo zvakaita chirevo mumuromo webenzi.
8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
8Somunhu anosungira ibwe pachifuramabwe, Ndizvo zvakaita iye anokudza benzi.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
9Sezvinoita mhinzwa muruoko rwomukariri wedoro, Ndizvo zvakaita chirevo mumuromo webenzi,
10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
10somupfuri wemiseve, unopfura zvose, Ndizvo zvakaita munhu anosevenzesa benzi neanosevenzesa vafambi.
11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
11Sembwa inodzokera kumarutsi ayo, Ndizvo zvakaita benzi rinopamhidza upenzi hwaro.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
12Unoona munhu anoti ndakachenjera here? Benzi riri nani kuna iye!
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
13Simbe inoti, Kune shumba panzira; Shumba iri munzira dzomumusha.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
14Gonhi rinotendereka pamahinji aro; Ndizvo zvinoita simbe panhovo dzayo.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
15Simbe inopinza ruoko rwayo mundiro, Ino usimbe kurudzoserazve kumuromo wayo.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
16Simbe inozviti ndakachenjera Kupfuura vanhu vanomwe vanogona kupindura nenjere.
17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
17Somunhu anobata imbwa nenzeve dzayo, ichingopfuura hayo, Ndizvo zvakaita mupfuuri anozvipinza pagakava risati riri rake.
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
18Somupengo anokanda zvitsiga, Nemiseve, nezvinouraya,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
19Ndizvo zvinoita munhu anonyengedzera wokwake, Achiti, Ndinongoita zvangu jee!
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
20Moto unodzima nokushaiwa huni; Uye kana kusina mucheri, gakava rinopera.
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
21Sezvakaita mazimbe pazvitsiga zvinopfuta, nehuni pamoto, Ndizvo zvakaita munhu wegakava pakupfutidza rukave.
22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
22Mashoko omucheri akaita sezvimedu zvinozipa, Zvinoburukira mukati-kati momuviri.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
23Miromo inopisa norudo pamwechete nomoyo wakaipa, Zvakafanana nomudziyo wevhu wakanamirwa namarara anobva pasirivha.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
24Muvengi anonyengedzera nemiromo yake, Asi anovanza kunyengedzera mumoyo make.
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
25Kana achitaura zvinonaka, usamutenda; nekuti mumoyo make mune zvinonyangadza zvinomwe.
26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
26Kunyange kuvenga kwake kuchizvivanza nokunyengedzera, Kushata kwake kuchabudiswa pachena pamberi peungano.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
27Ani naani anochera gomba, achawiramo iye; Anokungurusa ibwe, richadzokera pamusoro pake.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28Rurimi rwenhema runovenga akuvadzwa narwo; Nomuromo unobata kumeso unoparadza.