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