Muparidzi 1
1 Mashoko oMuparidzi, mwanakomana waDhavhidhi, mambo muJerusarema:
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king of Israel in Jerusalem.
2 Zvanzi noMuparidzi, “Hazvina maturo! Hazvina maturo! Hazvina maturo chose! Zvose hazvina maturo.”
Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3 Munhu achawaneiko kubva pakushanda kwake kwose kwaanoita nesimba pasi pezuva?
What advantage [is there] to a man in all his labour that he takes under the sun?
4 Zvizvarwa zvinouya uye zvizvarwa zvinoenda, asi nyika inogara nokusingaperi.
A generation goes, and a generation comes: but the earth stands for ever.
5 Zuva rinobuda uye zuva rinovira, uye rinokurumidza kudzokerazve kwarinobudira.
And the sun arises, and the sun goes down and draws towards its place;
6 Mhepo inovhuvhuta ichienda zasi, yozodzokera kumusoro; inotenderera nokutenderera ichingodzokerazve pagwara rayo.
arising there it proceeds southward, and goes round towards the north. The wind goes round and round, and the wind returns to its circuits.
7 Nzizi dzose dzinodira mugungwa, kunyange zvakadaro gungwa harizari. Kunzvimbo kwadzinobva nzizi, ikoko ndiko kwadzinodzokerazve.
All the rivers run into the sea; and yet the sea is not filled: to the place whence the rivers come, there they return again.
8 Zvinhu zvose zvinonetesa, zvisina ani angazvitaura. Ziso hariguti kuona, uye nzeve haizari nokunzwa.
All things are full of labour; a man will not be able to speak [of them]: neither shall the eye be satisfied with seeing, neither shall the ear be filled with hearing.
9 Chakanga chiripo, chichazovapozve, chakamboitwa chichaitwazve; hapana chitsva pasi pezuva.
What is that which has been? the very thing which shall be: and what is that which has been done? the very thing which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Chiripo here chinhu chinganzi nomunhu, “Tarira! Chinhu ichi chitsva?” Chakanga chichingovapo, kare kare; chakanga chiripo isu tisati tavapo.
[Who is he] that shall speak and say, Behold, this is new? it has already been in the ages that have passed before us.
11 Vanhu vakare havacharangarirwi; uye kunyange vanovatevera, havachazorangarirwi nevanozotevera.
There is no memorial to the first things; neither to the things that have been last shall their memorial be with them that shall at the last [time].
12 Ini muparidzi ndakanga ndiri mambo weIsraeri muJerusarema.
I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 Ndakazvipira kunzvera nokutsvaka nouchenjeri zvose zvinoitwa pasi pedenga. Ibasa rinotambudza rakapiwa vanakomana vavanhu naMwari kuti vazvitambudze naro.
And I applied my heart to seek out and examine by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven, for God has given to the sons of men an evil trouble to be troubled therewith.
14 Ndakaona zvinhu zvose zvinoitwa pasi pezuva; zvose hazvo hazvina maturo, kudzingana nemhepo bedzi.
I saw all the works that were wrought under the sun; and, saw, all were vanity and waywardness of spirit.
15 Chakakombamiswa hachingatwasanudzwi; chinoshayikwa hachingaverengwi.
That which is crooked can’t be made straight: and deficiency can’t be numbered.
16 Ndakafunga mumwoyo mangu ndikati, “Tarira, ndazviwanira uchenjeri hwakawanda kupfuura vose vakanditangira kutonga muJerusarema; ndava nouchenjeri uye noruzivo rwakawanda.”
I spoke in my heart, saying, Behold, I am increased, and have acquired wisdom beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem: also I applied my heart to know wisdom and knowledge.
17 Ipapo ndakazvipira kutsvaka kunzwisisa uchenjeri uyezve noupengo noupenzi, asi ndakadzidzawo zvakare kuti, naizvozviwo kudzingana nemhepo.
And my heart knew much—wisdom, and knowledge, parables and understanding: I perceived that this also is waywardness of spirit.
18 Nokuti muuchenjeri huzhinji mune kusuwa kuzhinji; kuwanda kwezivo, kuwandawo kwokuchema.
For in the abundance of wisdom is abundance of knowledge; and he that increases knowledge will increase sorrow.
