Zvirevo 26
1 Sechando muzhizha kana mvura pakukohwa, rukudzo haruna kufanira kubenzi.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 Sezvinoita kadhimba pakubhururuka kwako, kana nyenganyenga pakubhururuka kwayo somuseve, saizvozvowo kutuka pasina mhosva hakuna zvakunoita.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 Tyava yakaitirwa bhiza, matomu akaitirwa mbongoro, uye shamhu musana webenzi!
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Usapindura benzi maererano noupenzi hwaro, kana kuti iwe pachako uchafanana naro.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.
5 Pindura benzi maererano noupenzi hwaro, kuti rirege kuona sokuti rakachenjera.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Sokuzvigura tsoka kana kunwa bongozozo, ndizvo zvakaita kutumira shoko noruoko rwebenzi.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Samakumbo echirema akangorembera ndizvo zvakaita chirevo mumuromo webenzi.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Sokusungira ibwe pachipfuramabwe ndizvo zvakaita kupa rukudzo kubenzi.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Segwenzi reminzwa riri muruoko rwechidhakwa, ndizvo zvakaita chirevo chiri mumuromo webenzi.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Somuwemburi weuta anopfura pose pose, ndizvo zvakaita anoshandirwa nebenzi kana nomupfuuri zvake.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Sembwa inodzokera kumarutsi ayo, ndizvo zvakaita benzi rinodzokorora upenzi hwaro.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Unoona munhu anozviti akachenjera pakuona kwake here? Benzi rinotova netariro kupfuura iye.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 Simbe inoti, “Kune shumba kunzira, shumba inotyisa iri kufamba-famba munzira dzomumusha!”
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Segonhi rinotenderera pamahinji aro, ndizvo zvinoita simbe pamubhedha wayo.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Simbe inoisa ruoko rwayo mundiro; inoita usimbe hwokutadza kurudzosera kumuromo wayo.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 Simbe inozviti yakachenjera pakuona kwayo kupfuura vanhu vanomwe vanopindura nenjere.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Somunhu anobata imbwa nenzeve dzayo, ndizvo zvakaita mupfuuri anopindira pagakava risinei naye.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Somupengo unopotsera zvitsiga zvomoto, kana miseve inouraya,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 ndizvo zvakaita munhu anonyengera muvakidzani wake uye achizoti, “Ndanga ndichiita zvangu je-e!”
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Pasina huni moto unodzima; pasina makuhwa kukakavara kunopera.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Sezvakaita mazimbe pazvitsiga zvinopfuta nehuni pamoto, ndizvo zvakaita munhu wegakava pakupfutidza rukave.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 Mashoko eguhwa akaita semisuva yakaisvonaka inodzika mukatikati momunhu.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Sezvinopenya zvakanamirwa kunze kwomudziyo wevhu, ndizvo zvakaita miromo inotaura zvinoyevedza, asi nomwoyo wakaipa.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 Muparadzi anozvivanza namatauriro ake, asi mumwoyo make akaviga ruvengo.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Kunyange mashoko ake achitapira, usatenda zvaanotaura, nokuti mumwoyo make mune zvinonyangadza zvinomwe.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Ruvengo rwake rungavigwa mukunyengera kwake, asi kuipa kwake kuchabudiswa pachena paungano.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Kana munhu akachera gomba, achawira mariri; kana munhu akakungurutsa ibwe, richakunguruka, richidzokera pamusoro pake.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 Rurimi runoreva nhema runovenga varunorwadzisa, uye muromo unobata kumeso unoparadza.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
