1 Koga se kapuku mu tjilimo ne vula mu nsi we kuvuna,
gudzo alitofanila tjilengwe.
2 Koga se zhwazho iwuluka, se nyenganyenga i phururuka,
bhiso le suli alitoshinga.
3 Rwabha ino loba mbizi, matomu anolongwa mu donki,
ne shamu inolingisana ne ikamba tje zwilengwe.
4 Usidabile tjilengwe nge bulengwe,
ngobe ungadwa ukafanana natjo.
5 Dabila tjilengwe nge zila ye bulengwe gwatjo
tjingadwa tjikabe ntjenjedu mu mesho atjo.
6 Iye unotumila ndayidzo nge luboko gwe tjilengwe,
unozwithubula makumbo ne kung'wa phipiti.
7 Gungulupeswa mu milomo ye zwilengwe,,
longa makumbo e tjilema asakasima.
8 Koga se nthu unosungila bgwe mu tjirakantswane,
ndiko kunoyita nthu unopa tjilengwe gudzo.
9 Koga se miwa unobhaya luboko gwe tjidakwa,
konga gungulupeswa mu nlomo we tjilengwe.
10 Koga se mposi we misebe unokubadza mmwe ne mmwe,
unonga nthu unotapa tjilengwe tjinopinda kene tjidakwa.
11 Koga se mbgwa inobgwilila ija matho ayo,
tjilengwe tjobgwilulula bulengwe gwatjo.
12 Unobona nthu unozwidwa eti wakatjenjela?
Tjilengwe tjina kugalabgwe panaiye.
13 Tjilengwe tjikati, “Kuna shumba mu zila!
Kuna shumba mu zila dze nzi!”
14 Se dendele lipoteleka mu mabante alo,
ndiko kunoyita simbe mu bulawo gwayo.
15 Simbe inolonga luboko gwayo mu ndilo,
koyinyadza kubuza luboko ilonga zojiwa mu nlomo.
16 Simbe inozwidwa iti yakatjenjela,
kupinda bathu bali banotendeka bangadabila nge nkumbulo mbuya.
17 Iye unongina ngwa isi iye,
unonga nthu unobhata mbgwa inopinda nge zebe.
18 Koga se mpengo unoposa misebe,
inothuta,
19 ndiko kunoyita nthu unotjebela mbakidzani uwe
eti, “Ndozana zwangu!”
20 Ha kusina hwuni moto unodzima,
ne pasina nnyeyi ngwa inopela.
21 Se masimbe ku zwisikalala zwinothuta ne hwuni ku moto
wakajalo n'gwisanyi mu kumusa ngwa.
22 Matama e nnyeyi anonga zojiwa zwinozipa,
zoyenda nge ndungululo dze mbili.
23 Se hali ye ntapkhwi yakakuyungiwa nge siliva,
milomo inosodzoloka ina moyo wakabipa.
24 Mbengi unotjengedza nge zwilebo zwizwe
koga akasumbika kutjebela mu moyo uwe,
25 ha elebeleka zwibuya, usidume tjaanoleba,
ngobe kuna zwinoshimisa zwili kutendeka mu moyo uwe,
26 nenguba lubengo gugwe gwakasumbikwa nge butjengedzi,
bubi gugwe gowobhudila patjena ku gubungano.
27 Iye unotsha gomba unowowila mu lili,
ne bgwe lowokungulukila kuna iye wakatanga kulikunguludza.
28 Lulimi gunonyepa gobenga ibabo bagwakubadza,
ne nlomo unotjengedza unopaladza.
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. 17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.