1Izvowo ndizvo zvirevo zvaSoromoni, zvakanyorwa navanhu vaHezekia mambo wavaJudha,
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2Ndiko kukudzwa kwaMwari kuti avanze chinhu; Asi kukudzwa kwamadzimambo ndiko kuti vanzvere mhosva.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3Kukwirira kwedenga, nokudzika kwenyika, Nemoyo yamadzimambo hazvibviri kunzverwa.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4Bvisa marara pasirivha, Muumbi agobudisirwa hari.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
5Bvisa akaipa pamberi pamambo, Chigaro chake choushe chisimbiswe nokururama.
5Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Usava namanyawi pamberi pamambo; Usamira panzvimbo yavakuru.
6Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7nekuti zviri nani kuti vati kwauri, Kwira pano, Pakuti uninipiswe pamberi pomuchinda. Wawaona nameso ako.
7for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8Usakurumidza kundoita nharo; nekuti uchazodini pashure, Kana wokwako akunyadzisa?
8Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9Rangana nowakaipa pamusoro pemhosva iri pakati penyu, Asi usareurura zvakavanzika zvomumwe;
9Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another;
10Kuti mumwe anozvinzwa arege kukutuka, Guhwa rako rikasaguma.
10lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11Shoko rinotaurwa nenguva yakafanira, Rakafanana namatamba endarama mumidziyo yesirivha.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12Murairi akachenjera panzeve inoteerera, Zvakafanana nechindori chenzeve chendarama noukomba hwendarama yakaisvonaka.
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13Nhume yakatendeka kuna vanoituma yakafanana nokutonhorera kwechando panguva yokukohwa; nekuti anoponesa mweya yavatenzi vayo.
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Munhu anozvirumbidza pamusoro pechipo chenhema, Akafanana namakore nemhepo zvisina mvura.
14As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15Mubati anokundwa kana achiitirwa moyo murefu, Uye rurimi runyoro runovhuna mafupa.
15By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16Wawana uchi here? Chidya hunokuringana, Kuti urege kuzvimbirwa nahwo, ukahurutsa.
16Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17Rutsoka rwako ngarurege kuwanza kupinda paimba yowokwako; Arege kuzoneta newe, akakuvenga.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18Munhu anopupurira wokwake nhema, Akafanana netsvimbo, nomunondo, nomuseve unopinza.
18A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Kutenda munhu asina kutendeka panguva yenhamo, Kwakafanana nezino rakagurika norutsoka rwakashodoka.
19Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20Somunhu anobvisa nguvo kana kuchitonhora, uye sevhiniga kana ichiiswa pasoda, Ndizvo zvakaita munhu anoimbira moyo unorwadza nziyo.
20As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21Kana muvengi wako ane nzara, umupe zvokudya adye; Kana ane nyota, umupe mvura amwe.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
22nekuti uchatutira mazimbe omoto pamusoro wake, Uye Jehovha achakuripira.
22for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23Mhepo inobva kumaodzanyemba inouyisa mvura; Saizvozvo rurimi runa makuhwa runouyisa chiso chakatsamwa.
23The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24Zviri nani kugara pakona redenga, Pakugara muimba imwe nomukadzi unokakavara.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25Shoko rakanaka, rinobva kunyika iri kure, Rakafanana nemvura inotonhorera kumweya ane nyota.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26Munhu akarurama, anozununguka pamberi pavakaipa, Akafanana netsime rakabvongodzwa nechitubu chine tsvina.
26Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27Hazvina kunaka kudya uchi huzhinji; Asi kunzvera zvinorema ndiko kukudzwa.
27It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28Munhu asingadzori mweya wake, Akafanana neguta rakaputswa, risina rusvingo.
28Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.