Zvirevo 17
1 Zviri nani kuva nechimedu chakaoma chechingwa uine rugare norunyararo pane imba izere namabiko, ine kupesana.
Better is a piece of dry bread, and quiet therewith, than a house full of the sacrifices of contention.
2 Muranda akachenjera achatonga mwanakomana anonyadzisa, uye achagoverwa nhaka somumwe wehama.
An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.
3 Hari ndeyokunyautsira sirivha uye choto ndechokunatsa goridhe, asi Jehovha ndiye anoedza mwoyo.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.
4 Munhu akaipa anoteerera miromo yakaipa; murevi wenhema anorerekera nzeve yake kururimi runoparadza.
An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.
5 Uyo anoseka varombo anozvidza Musiki wavo, ani naani anofarira njodzi dzavamwe haangaregi kurangwa.
Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.
6 Vana vevana ikorona kune vakwegura, uye vabereki ndivo kukudzwa kwavana vavo.
The crown of old men are children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers.
7 Kutaura kuna manyawi hakuna kufanira benzi, zvikuru sei kutaura nhema kwomubati!
High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.
8 Fufuro inofadza uyo anoipa; kwose kwose kwaanoenda, anobudirira.
As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 Uyo anofukidzira kudarika kwomumwe anotsvaka rudo, asi ani naani anomutsazve mhaka anoparadzanisa shamwari dzepedyo.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.
10 Kutsiurwa kunofadza munhu ane njere kupfuura kurohwa kwebenzi kazana.
A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Munhu akaipa anongotsvaka kumukira chete; nhume isina tsitsi ichatumirwa kundomurwisa.
Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.
12 Zviri nani kusangana nechikara chatorerwa vana vacho pane benzi muupenzi hwaro.
A man may meet a she-bear robbed of her whelps, but not a fool in his folly.
13 Kana munhu akaripira zvakanaka nezvakaipa zvakaipa hazvizombobvi paimba yake.
Whoso bestoweth evil in return for good—evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Kuvamba kwokukakavara kwakafanana nokudziurira mvura yedhamu; saka rega nharo kurwa kusati kwatanga.
As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.
15 Kupembedza ane mhosva nokupomera asina mhaka, Jehovha anozvivenga zvose.
He that declareth the wicked innocent, and he that condemneth the righteous, yea, both of them are equally an abomination to the Lord.
16 Ine basa reiko mari kana iri muruoko rwebenzi, sezvo risina chishuvo chokuwana uchenjeri?
Wherefore is the purchase-money in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?
17 Shamwari inoda panguva dzose, uye hama yakaberekerwa kupikisana.
A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for [the time of] distress.
18 Munhu anoshayiwa njere ndiye anombunda noruoko rwake pamhiko, uye anoitira muvakidzani wake rubatso.
A man void of sense pledgeth his hand, and becometh surety for his friend.
19 Uyo anoda zvokukakavara anoda chivi; uyo anovaka suo refu anotsvaka kuparadzwa.
He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
20 Munhu ane mwoyo wakaipa haabudiriri; uyo ane rurimi runonyengera achawira mudambudziko.
He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.
21 Kuva nomwanakomana benzi kunouyisa kurwadziwa; baba vebenzi havana mufaro.
He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.
22 Mwoyo wakafara mushonga wakanaka, asi mweya wakaputsika unoomesa mapfupa.
A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Munhu akaipa anogamuchira fufuro muchivande, kuti aminamise nzira dzokururamisira.
A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.
24 Munhu ane njere anoisa uchenjeri pamberi, asi meso ebenzi anosvika kumagumo enyika.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are at the ends of the earth.
25 Mwanakomana benzi anorwadzisa baba vake, uye anoitisa shungu uyo akamubereka.
A foolish son is a vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that hath born him.
26 Hazvina kunaka kuranga munhu asina mhosva, kana kurova machinda nokuda kwokururama kwavo.
To punish the just with a fine even is not good, nor to strike the noble [-hearted] for [their] equity.
27 Munhu ano ruzivo anoshandisa mashoko achizvidzora, uye munhu anonzwisisa akadzikama.
He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Kunyange benzi, kana rakanyarara, rinonzi rakachenjera, uye rikabata muromo waro rinonzi rakangwara.
Even a fool, when he keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
