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