1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
1Nhunzi dzakafa dzinonhuhwisa nokuvirisa chizoro chomuvhenganisi wezvinonhuhwira; saizvozvo upenzi hushoma hunorema kukunda uchenjeri nokukudzwa.
2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
2Moyo womunhu wakachenjera uri kurudyi rwake, asi moyo webenzi uri kuruboshwe rwake.
3Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
3Zvirokwazvo, kana benzi richifamba panzira, rinoshaiwa njere; rinozivisa vose kuti ndiri benzi.
4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
4Kana kutsamwa komubati kukakumukira, usabva panzvimbo yako; nekuti unyoro hunonyaradza mhosva huru.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
5Chinhu chakaipa chiripo chandakaona pasi pezuva, kuri kutadza kunobva kuvabati.
6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
6Upenzi hunoiswa pakakwirira, asi vafumi vanogara pakaderera.
7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
7Ndakaona varanda vakatasva mabhiza, namachinda achifamba pasi savaranda.
8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
8Anochera gomba, achawiramo amene; ani naani anokoromora rusvingo, nyoka ichamuruma.
9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.
9Ani naani anoputsa mabwe, angakuvadzwa nawo; uye anobanzura huni, ari panjodzi.
10If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
10Kana simbi yagomara, munhu akasairodza, anofanira kunyanya kubata nesimba; asi uchenjeri hunobatsira pakururamisa.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
11Kana nyoka ikaruma isati yarapwa namazango, n'anga haibatsiri.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
12Mashoko anobva mumuromo woakachenjera, anofadza; asi miromo yebenzi inomumedza iye.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
13Kutanga kwamashoko omuromo waro upenzi; nokuguma kokutaura kwaro upengo hwakashata.
14A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
14Benzi rinowanzawo mashoko; asi munhu haazivi zvichavapo; ndiani angamuzivisa zvichazovapo shure kwake?
15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
15Kubata kwamapenzi kunonetsa mumwe nomumwe wavo; nekuti haatongozivi nzira yokuenda nayo kuguta.
16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
16Iwe nyika une nhamo, kana mambo wako ari mwana, kana machinda ako achiita mutambo mangwanani.
17Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
17Unomufaro, iwe nyika, kana mambo wako ari mwanakomana wavakakudzwa, kana machinda ako achiita mutambo panguva yakafanira, kuti asimbiswe, asingaitiri kubatwa.
18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
18Nousimbe denga reimba rinosakara; nokusabata kwamaoko imba inodonha.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
19Mutambo unoitirwa kuseka, uye waini inofadza upenyu; zvose zvingawanikwa nemari.
20Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom: for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
20Usatuka mambo, kunyange pakufunga kwako; usatuka mufumi paimba yako yokuvata; nekuti shiri yokudenga ingatakura inzwi, uye izvo zvinamapapiro zvingazivisa shoko.