1Sezvakaita chando muzhizha, uye sezvakaita mvura mukukohwa, Saizvozvo kukudzwa hakufaniri benzi.
1Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Sezvinoita shiri pakupaparika kwayo, nenyenganyenga pakubhururuka kwayo, Saizvozvo kutuka pasina mhosva hakuitiki.
2Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3Tyava yakaitirwa bhiza, namatomu mbongoro, Neshamhu musana wamapenzi.
3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
4Usapindura benzi noupenzi hwaro, Kuti urege kufanana naro.
4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5Pindura benzi noupenzi hwaro, Kuti rirege kuti rakachenjera.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6Anotuma shoko noruoko rwebenzi, Unozvigura tsoka, nokumwa kutambudzika.
6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7Makumbo echirema anongoremberera; Ndizvo zvakaita chirevo mumuromo webenzi.
7Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8Somunhu anosungira ibwe pachifuramabwe, Ndizvo zvakaita iye anokudza benzi.
8As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9Sezvinoita mhinzwa muruoko rwomukariri wedoro, Ndizvo zvakaita chirevo mumuromo webenzi,
9Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10somupfuri wemiseve, unopfura zvose, Ndizvo zvakaita munhu anosevenzesa benzi neanosevenzesa vafambi.
10As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
11Sembwa inodzokera kumarutsi ayo, Ndizvo zvakaita benzi rinopamhidza upenzi hwaro.
11As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12Unoona munhu anoti ndakachenjera here? Benzi riri nani kuna iye!
12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13Simbe inoti, Kune shumba panzira; Shumba iri munzira dzomumusha.
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
14Gonhi rinotendereka pamahinji aro; Ndizvo zvinoita simbe panhovo dzayo.
14As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
15Simbe inopinza ruoko rwayo mundiro, Ino usimbe kurudzoserazve kumuromo wayo.
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16Simbe inozviti ndakachenjera Kupfuura vanhu vanomwe vanogona kupindura nenjere.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
17Somunhu anobata imbwa nenzeve dzayo, ichingopfuura hayo, Ndizvo zvakaita mupfuuri anozvipinza pagakava risati riri rake.
17Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18Somupengo anokanda zvitsiga, Nemiseve, nezvinouraya,
18Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19Ndizvo zvinoita munhu anonyengedzera wokwake, Achiti, Ndinongoita zvangu jee!
19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
20Moto unodzima nokushaiwa huni; Uye kana kusina mucheri, gakava rinopera.
20For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21Sezvakaita mazimbe pazvitsiga zvinopfuta, nehuni pamoto, Ndizvo zvakaita munhu wegakava pakupfutidza rukave.
21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22Mashoko omucheri akaita sezvimedu zvinozipa, Zvinoburukira mukati-kati momuviri.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23Miromo inopisa norudo pamwechete nomoyo wakaipa, Zvakafanana nomudziyo wevhu wakanamirwa namarara anobva pasirivha.
23Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24Muvengi anonyengedzera nemiromo yake, Asi anovanza kunyengedzera mumoyo make.
24A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25Kana achitaura zvinonaka, usamutenda; nekuti mumoyo make mune zvinonyangadza zvinomwe.
25When his speech is charming, don’t believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Kunyange kuvenga kwake kuchizvivanza nokunyengedzera, Kushata kwake kuchabudiswa pachena pamberi peungano.
26His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27Ani naani anochera gomba, achawiramo iye; Anokungurusa ibwe, richadzokera pamusoro pake.
27Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28Rurimi rwenhema runovenga akuvadzwa narwo; Nomuromo unobata kumeso unoparadza.
28A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.