1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
1Sezvakaita chando muzhizha, uye sezvakaita mvura mukukohwa, Saizvozvo kukudzwa hakufaniri benzi.
2As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved 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 back of fools.
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 eyes.
5Pindura benzi noupenzi hwaro, Kuti rirege kuti rakachenjera.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
6Anotuma shoko noruoko rwebenzi, Unozvigura tsoka, nokumwa kutambudzika.
7The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
7Makumbo echirema anongoremberera; Ndizvo zvakaita chirevo mumuromo webenzi.
8As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
8Somunhu anosungira ibwe pachifuramabwe, Ndizvo zvakaita iye anokudza benzi.
9[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
9Sezvinoita mhinzwa muruoko rwomukariri wedoro, Ndizvo zvakaita chirevo mumuromo webenzi,
10A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
10somupfuri wemiseve, unopfura zvose, Ndizvo zvakaita munhu anosevenzesa benzi neanosevenzesa vafambi.
11As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
11Sembwa inodzokera kumarutsi ayo, Ndizvo zvakaita benzi rinopamhidza upenzi hwaro.
12Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
12Unoona munhu anoti ndakachenjera here? Benzi riri nani kuna iye!
13The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
13Simbe inoti, Kune shumba panzira; Shumba iri munzira dzomumusha.
14[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
14Gonhi rinotendereka pamahinji aro; Ndizvo zvinoita simbe panhovo dzayo.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
15Simbe inopinza ruoko rwayo mundiro, Ino usimbe kurudzoserazve kumuromo wayo.
16A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
16Simbe inozviti ndakachenjera Kupfuura vanhu vanomwe vanogona kupindura nenjere.
17He that passing by vexeth himself 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 madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
18Somupengo anokanda zvitsiga, Nemiseve, nezvinouraya,
19so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
19Ndizvo zvinoita munhu anonyengedzera wokwake, Achiti, Ndinongoita zvangu jee!
20Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
20Moto unodzima nokushaiwa huni; Uye kana kusina mucheri, gakava rinopera.
21[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
21Sezvakaita mazimbe pazvitsiga zvinopfuta, nehuni pamoto, Ndizvo zvakaita munhu wegakava pakupfutidza rukave.
22The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
22Mashoko omucheri akaita sezvimedu zvinozipa, Zvinoburukira mukati-kati momuviri.
23Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
23Miromo inopisa norudo pamwechete nomoyo wakaipa, Zvakafanana nomudziyo wevhu wakanamirwa namarara anobva pasirivha.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
24Muvengi anonyengedzera nemiromo yake, Asi anovanza kunyengedzera mumoyo make.
25when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
25Kana achitaura zvinonaka, usamutenda; nekuti mumoyo make mune zvinonyangadza zvinomwe.
26Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the 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 shall return upon him.
27Ani naani anochera gomba, achawiramo iye; Anokungurusa ibwe, richadzokera pamusoro pake.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28Rurimi rwenhema runovenga akuvadzwa narwo; Nomuromo unobata kumeso unoparadza.