Mlaliki 10
1 Monga ntchentche zakufa zimayika fungo loyipa mʼmafuta onunkhira, choncho kupusa pangʼono kumawononganso nzeru ndi ulemu.
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odour; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
2 Mtima wa munthu wanzeru umamutsogolera bwino, koma mtima wa munthu wopusa umamusocheretsa.
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
3 Chitsiru ngakhale chikamayenda mu msewu, zochita zake ndi zopanda nzeru ndipo chimaonetsa aliyense kuti icho ndi chitsirudi.
Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 Ngati wolamulira akukwiyira, usachoke pa ntchito yako; kufatsa kumakonza zolakwa zazikulu.
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offences to rest.
5 Pali choyipa chimene ndinachiona pansi pano, kulakwitsa kumene kumachokera kwa wolamulira:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6 Zitsiru amazipatsa ntchito zambiri zapamwamba, pamene anthu olemera amawapatsa ntchito zotsika.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 Ndaona akapolo atakwera pa akavalo, pamene akalonga akuyenda pansi ngati akapolo.
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8 Amene amakumba dzenje adzagwamo yekha; amene amabowola khoma adzalumidwa ndi njoka.
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Amene amaphwanya miyala adzapwetekedwa ndi miyalayo; amene amawaza nkhuni adzapwetekedwa nazo.
Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
10 Ngati nkhwangwa ili yobuntha yosanoledwa, pamafunika mphamvu zambiri potema, koma luso limabweretsa chipambano.
If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11 Nʼkopanda phindu kudziwa kuseweretsa njoka ngati njokayo yakuluma kale.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
12 Mawu a pakamwa pa munthu wanzeru ndi okondweretsa, koma chitsiru chidzawonongedwa ndi milomo yake yomwe.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
13 Chitsiru chimayamba ndi mawu opusa; potsiriza pake zoyankhula zake ndi zamisala
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 ndipo chitsiru chimachulukitsa mawu. Palibe amene amadziwa zimene zikubwera mʼtsogolo, ndani angamuwuze zomwe zidzachitika iye akadzafa?
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
15 Chitsiru chimatopa msanga ndi ntchito yochepa; ndipo sichikhala ndi mphamvu zobwererera ku mudzi.
The labour of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
16 Tsoka kwa iwe, iwe dziko ngati mfumu yako ikali mwana, ndipo atsogoleri ako amakhala pa madyerero mmamawa.
Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17 Wodala iwe, iwe dziko ngati mfumu yako ndi mwana wolemekezeka ndipo atsogoleri ako amadya pa nthawi yake, kuti apeze mphamvu osati kuti aledzere.
Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Ngati munthu ndi waulesi, denga lake limaloshoka; ngati manja ake ndi alobodo nyumba yake imadontha.
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19 Phwando ndi lokondweretsa anthu, ndipo vinyo ndi wosangalatsa moyo, koma ndalama ndi yankho la chilichonse.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
20 Usanyoze mfumu ngakhale mu mtima mwako, kapena kutukwana munthu wachuma mʼchipinda chako, pakuti mbalame yamlengalenga itha kutenga mawu ako nʼkukafotokoza zomwe wanena.
Don’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.
