Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
Nhunzi dzakafa dzinonhuwisa mafuta akanaka, saizvozvowo upenzi hushoma hunorema kukunda uchenjeri nokukudzwa.
2 The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
Mwoyo womunhu akachenjera unosimbira kurudyi, asi mwoyo webenzi unosimbira kuruboshwe.
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
Kunyange richifamba pamugwagwa, benzi rinoshayiwa njere uye rinoratidza vanhu vose upenzi hwaro.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.
Kana kutsamwa kwomutongi kukakumukira, usabva panzvimbo yako; unyoro hunonyaradza mhosva huru.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
Kune chinhu chakaipa chandakaona pasi pezuva, kutadza kunobva kuvatongi:
6 folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
Mapenzi anoiswa munzvimbo zhinji dzapamusoro, ipapo vapfumi vachitora nzvimbo dzakaderera.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Ndakaona varanda vakatasva mabhiza, ipapo machinda achifamba pasi netsoka savaranda.
8 He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
Ani naani anochera gomba angangowira mariri; ani naani anopwanya naparusvingo angangorumwa nenyoka.
9 Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
Ani naani anopwanya matombo angangokuvadzwa nawo; ani naani anotsemura matanda angangozviisa panjodzi nawo.
10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
Kana demo rakagomara uye rikasarodzwa, panodiwa simba rakawanda, asi unyanzvi hunouyisa kubudirira.
11 If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
Kana nyoka ikaruma mupingudzi asati aibata, mupingudzi haachabatsiri.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
Mashoko anobva mumuromo momunhu akachenjera ane unyoro, asi benzi rinomedzwa nomuromo waro.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Kutanga kwamashoko ake upenzi; nokuguma kwokutaura kwake mupengo wakashata.
14 And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?
Uye benzi rinowanza mashoko. Hapana munhu anoziva zvichauya, ndiani angamuudza zvichaitika shure kwake?
15 The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
Basa rebenzi rinomunetesa; haazivi nzira inoenda kuguta.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Une nhamo iwe nyika ina mambo aiva muranda uye ina machinda anoita mabiko mangwanani.
17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Wakaropafadzwa iwe nyika ina mambo akaberekwa mukukudzwa uye ina machinda anodya panguva yakafanira, kuti vasimbiswe kwete kuti vadhakwe.
18 By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.
Kana munhu ari simbe, denga remba rinosakara; kana achigarira maoko, imba inobvinza.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.
Mabiko anoitirwa kuseka, uye waini inofadza upenyu, asi mari imhinduro kune zvose.
20 Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
Usatuka mambo kunyange mupfungwa dzako, kana kutuka mupfumi paimba yako yokuvata, nokuti shiri yedenga ingangotakura mashoko ako, uye china mapapiro chingangozivisa zvawataura.
