1Ngati chisanu choti mbee nthawi yachilimwe kapena mvula nthawi yokolola,
ndi momwe zilili ndi ulemu wowulandira chitsiru.
2Ngati timba wokhalira kuwuluka kapena namzeze wokhalira kuzungulirazungulira,
ndi mmenenso limachitira temberero lopanda chifukwa, silichitika.
3Mkwapulo ndi wokwapulira kavalo, chitsulo ndi cha mʼkamwa mwa bulu,
choncho ndodo ndi yoyenera ku msana wa chitsiru.
4Usayankhe chitsiru monga mwa uchitsiru wake,
kuopa kuti ungadzakhale ngati chitsirucho.
5Koma nthawi zina umuyankhe monga mwa uchitsiru wake,
kuopa kuti angamadziyese yekha wanzeru.
6Kutuma chitsiru kuti akapereke uthenga
kuli ngati kudzidula mapazi ndipo kumakuyitanira mavuto.
7Monga miyendo ya munthu wolumala imene ilibe mphamvu
ndi mmene ulili mwambi mʼkamwa mwa chitsiru.
8Kupereka ulemu kwa chitsiru
zili ngati kukulunga mwala mʼlegeni.
9Monga umachitira mtengo waminga wobaya mʼdzanja la chidakwa
ndi mmene ulili mwambi mʼkamwa mwa chitsiru.
10Munthu amene amalemba ntchito chitsiru chongoyendayenda,
ali ngati woponya mivi amene angolasa anthu chilaselase.
11Chitsiru chimene chimabwerezabwereza uchitsiru wake
chili ngati galu amene amabwerera ku masanzi ake.
12Munthu wa uchitsiru aliko bwino popeza pali chiyembekezo
kuposana ndi munthu amene amadziyesa yekha kuti ndi wanzeru.
13Munthu waulesi amati, “Mu msewu muli mkango,
mkango woopsa ukuyendayenda mʼmisewu!”
14Monga chitseko chimapita uku ndi uku pa zolumikizira zake,
momwemonso munthu waulesi amangotembenukatembenuka pa bedi lake.
15Munthu waulesi akapisa dzanja lake mu mʼbale;
zimamutopetsa kuti alifikitse pakamwa pake.
16Munthu waulesi amadziyesa yekha wanzeru
kuposa anthu asanu ndi awiri amene amayankha mochenjera.
17Munthu wongolowera mikangano imene si yake
ali ngati munthu wogwira makutu a galu wongodziyendera.
18Monga munthu wamisala amene
akuponya sakali zamoto kapena mivi yoopsa,
19ndi momwe alili munthu wonamiza mnzake,
amene amati, “Ndimangoseka chabe!”
20Pakasowa nkhuni, moto umazima;
chomwechonso pakasowa anthu amiseche mkangano umatha.
21Monga alili makala pa moto wonyeka kapena mmene zimachitira nkhuni pa moto,
ndi mmene alili munthu wolongolola poyambitsa mikangano.
22Mawu a munthu wamiseche ali ngati chakudya chokoma;
chimene chimatsikira mʼmimba mwa munthu.
23Monga mmene chiziro chimakutira chiwiya chadothi
ndi mmene mawu oshashalika amabisira mtima woyipa.
24Munthu wachidani amayankhula zabwino
pamene mu mtima mwake muli chinyengo.
25Ngakhale wotereyu mawu ake ali okoma, koma usamukhulupirire,
pakuti mu mtima mwake mwadzaza zonyansa.
26Ngakhale amabisa chidani mochenjera,
koma kuyipa kwakeko kudzaonekera poyera pa gulu la anthu.
27Ngati munthu akumba dzenje, adzagweramo yekha;
ngati munthu agubuduza mwala, udzamupsinja iye mwini.
28Munthu wonama amadana ndi amene anawapweteka,
ndipo pakamwa poshashalika pamabweretsa chiwonongeko.
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.26.5 conceit: Heb. eyes
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.26.6 damage: or, violence 7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.26.7 are…: Heb. are lifted up 8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.26.8 bindeth…: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones 9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.26.10 The great…: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors 11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.26.11 returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly 12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.26.15 it grieveth…: or, he is weary 16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. 17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.26.17 meddleth: or, is enraged
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,26.18 firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks 19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.26.20 Where no…: Heb. Without wood26.20 talebearer: or, whisperer26.20 ceaseth: Heb. is silent 21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.26.22 innermost…: Heb. chambers 23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;26.24 dissembleth: or, is known 25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.26.25 speaketh…: Heb. maketh his voice gracious 26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.26.26 by…: or, in secret 27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
