Muparidzi 10
1 Nhunzi dzakafa dzinonhuwisa mafuta akanaka, saizvozvowo upenzi hushoma hunorema kukunda uchenjeri nokukudzwa.
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 Mwoyo womunhu akachenjera unosimbira kurudyi, asi mwoyo webenzi unosimbira kuruboshwe.
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 Kunyange richifamba pamugwagwa, benzi rinoshayiwa njere uye rinoratidza vanhu vose upenzi hwaro.
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 Kana kutsamwa kwomutongi kukakumukira, usabva panzvimbo yako; unyoro hunonyaradza mhosva huru.
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5 Kune chinhu chakaipa chandakaona pasi pezuva, kutadza kunobva kuvatongi:
There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 Mapenzi anoiswa munzvimbo zhinji dzapamusoro, ipapo vapfumi vachitora nzvimbo dzakaderera.
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 Ndakaona varanda vakatasva mabhiza, ipapo machinda achifamba pasi netsoka savaranda.
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 Ani naani anochera gomba angangowira mariri; ani naani anopwanya naparusvingo angangorumwa nenyoka.
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Ani naani anopwanya matombo angangokuvadzwa nawo; ani naani anotsemura matanda angangozviisa panjodzi nawo.
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10 Kana demo rakagomara uye rikasarodzwa, panodiwa simba rakawanda, asi unyanzvi hunouyisa kubudirira.
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 Kana nyoka ikaruma mupingudzi asati aibata, mupingudzi haachabatsiri.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 Mashoko anobva mumuromo momunhu akachenjera ane unyoro, asi benzi rinomedzwa nomuromo waro.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 Kutanga kwamashoko ake upenzi; nokuguma kwokutaura kwake mupengo wakashata.
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14 Uye benzi rinowanza mashoko. Hapana munhu anoziva zvichauya, ndiani angamuudza zvichaitika shure kwake?
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 Basa rebenzi rinomunetesa; haazivi nzira inoenda kuguta.
The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 Une nhamo iwe nyika ina mambo aiva muranda uye ina machinda anoita mabiko mangwanani.
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Wakaropafadzwa iwe nyika ina mambo akaberekwa mukukudzwa uye ina machinda anodya panguva yakafanira, kuti vasimbiswe kwete kuti vadhakwe.
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.
18 Kana munhu ari simbe, denga remba rinosakara; kana achigarira maoko, imba inobvinza.
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 Mabiko anoitirwa kuseka, uye waini inofadza upenyu, asi mari imhinduro kune zvose.
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 Usatuka mambo kunyange mupfungwa dzako, kana kutuka mupfumi paimba yako yokuvata, nokuti shiri yedenga ingangotakura mashoko ako, uye china mapapiro chingangozivisa zvawataura.
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.
