Mlaliki 10
1 Monga ntchentche zakufa zimayika fungo loyipa mʼmafuta onunkhira, choncho kupusa pangʼono kumawononganso nzeru ndi ulemu.
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 Mtima wa munthu wanzeru umamutsogolera bwino, koma mtima wa munthu wopusa umamusocheretsa.
A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Chitsiru ngakhale chikamayenda mu msewu, zochita zake ndi zopanda nzeru ndipo chimaonetsa aliyense kuti icho ndi chitsirudi.
Yea also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 Ngati wolamulira akukwiyira, usachoke pa ntchito yako; kufatsa kumakonza zolakwa zazikulu.
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, leave not thy place, for deference allays great offenses.
5 Pali choyipa chimene ndinachiona pansi pano, kulakwitsa kumene kumachokera kwa wolamulira:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler:
6 Zitsiru amazipatsa ntchito zambiri zapamwamba, pamene anthu olemera amawapatsa ntchito zotsika.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 Ndaona akapolo atakwera pa akavalo, pamene akalonga akuyenda pansi ngati akapolo.
I have seen servants upon horses, and rulers walking like servants upon the earth.
8 Amene amakumba dzenje adzagwamo yekha; amene amabowola khoma adzalumidwa ndi njoka.
He who digs a pit shall fall into it, and he who breaks through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
9 Amene amaphwanya miyala adzapwetekedwa ndi miyalayo; amene amawaza nkhuni adzapwetekedwa nazo.
He who hews out stones shall be hurt therewith, and he who splits wood is endangered thereby.
10 Ngati nkhwangwa ili yobuntha yosanoledwa, pamafunika mphamvu zambiri potema, koma luso limabweretsa chipambano.
If the iron be blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must increase strength. But wisdom is advantageous to make right.
11 Nʼkopanda phindu kudziwa kuseweretsa njoka ngati njokayo yakuluma kale.
If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
12 Mawu a pakamwa pa munthu wanzeru ndi okondweretsa, koma chitsiru chidzawonongedwa ndi milomo yake yomwe.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow himself up.
13 Chitsiru chimayamba ndi mawu opusa; potsiriza pake zoyankhula zake ndi zamisala
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 ndipo chitsiru chimachulukitsa mawu. Palibe amene amadziwa zimene zikubwera mʼtsogolo, ndani angamuwuze zomwe zidzachitika iye akadzafa?
A fool also multiplies words; yet man knows not what shall be, and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 Chitsiru chimatopa msanga ndi ntchito yochepa; ndipo sichikhala ndi mphamvu zobwererera ku mudzi.
The labor of fools wearies every one of them, for he knows not how to go to the city.
16 Tsoka kwa iwe, iwe dziko ngati mfumu yako ikali mwana, ndipo atsogoleri ako amakhala pa madyerero mmamawa.
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy rulers feast in the morning!
17 Wodala iwe, iwe dziko ngati mfumu yako ndi mwana wolemekezeka ndipo atsogoleri ako amadya pa nthawi yake, kuti apeze mphamvu osati kuti aledzere.
Happy are thou, O land, when thy king is the son of noble men, and thy rulers feast in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Ngati munthu ndi waulesi, denga lake limaloshoka; ngati manja ake ndi alobodo nyumba yake imadontha.
By slothfulness the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19 Phwando ndi lokondweretsa anthu, ndipo vinyo ndi wosangalatsa moyo, koma ndalama ndi yankho la chilichonse.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes glad the life, and money answers all things.
20 Usanyoze mfumu ngakhale mu mtima mwako, kapena kutukwana munthu wachuma mʼchipinda chako, pakuti mbalame yamlengalenga itha kutenga mawu ako nʼkukafotokoza zomwe wanena.
Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought, and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber. For a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.
