Ecclesiastes 10
1 As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Monga ntchentche zakufa zimayika fungo loyipa mʼmafuta onunkhira, choncho kupusa pangʼono kumawononganso nzeru ndi ulemu.
2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
Mtima wa munthu wanzeru umamutsogolera bwino, koma mtima wa munthu wopusa umamusocheretsa.
3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
Chitsiru ngakhale chikamayenda mu msewu, zochita zake ndi zopanda nzeru ndipo chimaonetsa aliyense kuti icho ndi chitsirudi.
4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
Ngati wolamulira akukwiyira, usachoke pa ntchito yako; kufatsa kumakonza zolakwa zazikulu.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
Pali choyipa chimene ndinachiona pansi pano, kulakwitsa kumene kumachokera kwa wolamulira:
6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
Zitsiru amazipatsa ntchito zambiri zapamwamba, pamene anthu olemera amawapatsa ntchito zotsika.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
Ndaona akapolo atakwera pa akavalo, pamene akalonga akuyenda pansi ngati akapolo.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Amene amakumba dzenje adzagwamo yekha; amene amabowola khoma adzalumidwa ndi njoka.
9 The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
Amene amaphwanya miyala adzapwetekedwa ndi miyalayo; amene amawaza nkhuni adzapwetekedwa nazo.
10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
Ngati nkhwangwa ili yobuntha yosanoledwa, pamafunika mphamvu zambiri potema, koma luso limabweretsa chipambano.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
Nʼkopanda phindu kudziwa kuseweretsa njoka ngati njokayo yakuluma kale.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Mawu a pakamwa pa munthu wanzeru ndi okondweretsa, koma chitsiru chidzawonongedwa ndi milomo yake yomwe.
13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Chitsiru chimayamba ndi mawu opusa; potsiriza pake zoyankhula zake ndi zamisala
14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
ndipo chitsiru chimachulukitsa mawu. Palibe amene amadziwa zimene zikubwera mʼtsogolo, ndani angamuwuze zomwe zidzachitika iye akadzafa?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
Chitsiru chimatopa msanga ndi ntchito yochepa; ndipo sichikhala ndi mphamvu zobwererera ku mudzi.
16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
Tsoka kwa iwe, iwe dziko ngati mfumu yako ikali mwana, ndipo atsogoleri ako amakhala pa madyerero mmamawa.
17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.
Wodala iwe, iwe dziko ngati mfumu yako ndi mwana wolemekezeka ndipo atsogoleri ako amadya pa nthawi yake, kuti apeze mphamvu osati kuti aledzere.
18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
Ngati munthu ndi waulesi, denga lake limaloshoka; ngati manja ake ndi alobodo nyumba yake imadontha.
19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
Phwando ndi lokondweretsa anthu, ndipo vinyo ndi wosangalatsa moyo, koma ndalama ndi yankho la chilichonse.
20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.
Usanyoze mfumu ngakhale mu mtima mwako, kapena kutukwana munthu wachuma mʼchipinda chako, pakuti mbalame yamlengalenga itha kutenga mawu ako nʼkukafotokoza zomwe wanena.
