1Nhunzi dzakafa dzinonhuhwisa nokuvirisa chizoro chomuvhenganisi wezvinonhuhwira; saizvozvo upenzi hushoma hunorema kukunda uchenjeri nokukudzwa.
1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
2Moyo womunhu wakachenjera uri kurudyi rwake, asi moyo webenzi uri kuruboshwe rwake.
2The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3Zvirokwazvo, kana benzi richifamba panzira, rinoshaiwa njere; rinozivisa vose kuti ndiri benzi.
3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
4Kana kutsamwa komubati kukakumukira, usabva panzvimbo yako; nekuti unyoro hunonyaradza mhosva huru.
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.
5Chinhu chakaipa chiripo chandakaona pasi pezuva, kuri kutadza kunobva kuvabati.
5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
6Upenzi hunoiswa pakakwirira, asi vafumi vanogara pakaderera.
6folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
7Ndakaona varanda vakatasva mabhiza, namachinda achifamba pasi savaranda.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8Anochera gomba, achawiramo amene; ani naani anokoromora rusvingo, nyoka ichamuruma.
8He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
9Ani naani anoputsa mabwe, angakuvadzwa nawo; uye anobanzura huni, ari panjodzi.
9Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
10Kana simbi yagomara, munhu akasairodza, anofanira kunyanya kubata nesimba; asi uchenjeri hunobatsira pakururamisa.
10If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
11Kana nyoka ikaruma isati yarapwa namazango, n'anga haibatsiri.
11If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
12Mashoko anobva mumuromo woakachenjera, anofadza; asi miromo yebenzi inomumedza iye.
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
13Kutanga kwamashoko omuromo waro upenzi; nokuguma kokutaura kwaro upengo hwakashata.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14Benzi rinowanzawo mashoko; asi munhu haazivi zvichavapo; ndiani angamuzivisa zvichazovapo shure kwake?
14And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?
15Kubata kwamapenzi kunonetsa mumwe nomumwe wavo; nekuti haatongozivi nzira yokuenda nayo kuguta.
15The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
16Iwe nyika une nhamo, kana mambo wako ari mwana, kana machinda ako achiita mutambo mangwanani.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17Unomufaro, iwe nyika, kana mambo wako ari mwanakomana wavakakudzwa, kana machinda ako achiita mutambo panguva yakafanira, kuti asimbiswe, asingaitiri kubatwa.
17Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18Nousimbe denga reimba rinosakara; nokusabata kwamaoko imba inodonha.
18By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.
19Mutambo unoitirwa kuseka, uye waini inofadza upenyu; zvose zvingawanikwa nemari.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.
20Usatuka mambo, kunyange pakufunga kwako; usatuka mufumi paimba yako yokuvata; nekuti shiri yokudenga ingatakura inzwi, uye izvo zvinamapapiro zvingazivisa shoko.
20Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.