Proverbs 18
1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
Ozehlukanisayo udinga okuloyisekayo kwakhe; ufohlela inhlakanipho yonke.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
Isithutha kasithokozi ekuqedisiseni, kodwa ukuze inhliziyo yaso iziveze.
3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
Lapho okhohlakeleyo esiza, kuza lokudelela, njalo kanye lenhloni, ihlazo.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Amazwi omlomo womuntu angamanzi azikileyo; umthombo wenhlakanipho uyisifula esigobhozayo.
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
Kakulunganga ukwemukela ubuso bokhohlakeleyo, ukuphambula olungileyo kusahlulelo.
6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
Indebe zesithutha zingena enkanini, lomlomo waso ubiza imivimvinya.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Umlomo wesithutha uyintshabalalo yaso, lendebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
Lolivila emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo womchithi.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Ibizo leNkosi lingumphotshongo oqinileyo; olungileyo uzagijimela kuwo amiswe phezulu evikelekile.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
Inotho yesinothi ingumuzi waso oqinileyo, lanjengomthangala ophakemeyo ekucabangeni kwaso.
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Mandulo kokubhujiswa inhliziyo yomuntu iyaziphakamisa, njalo mandulo kodumo kulokuthobeka.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
Ophendula indaba engakezwa, kuyibuwula kuye, lehlazo.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
Umoya womuntu uzasekela ukugula kwakhe, kodwa umoya owephukileyo, ngubani ongawuthwala?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
Inhliziyo yoqedisisayo izuza ulwazi, lendlebe yabahlakaniphileyo idinga ulwazi.
16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
Isipho somuntu siyamvulela ngokubanzi, simkhokhelela phambi kwabakhulu.
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
Ongowokuqala ecaleni lakhe ubonakala elungile, kodwa umakhelwane wakhe ufika amhlole.
18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
Inkatho iqeda izingxabano, yehlukanise phakathi kwabalamandla.
19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
Umzalwane owoniweyo wedlula umuzi oqinileyo, lengxabano zinjengomgoqo wenqaba.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
Isisu somuntu siyasuthiswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe, uzasuthiswa yinzuzo yendebe zakhe.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Ukufa lempilo kusesandleni solimi; labaluthandayo bazakudla isithelo salo.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
Othole umfazi uthole okuhle, uzuze umusa eNkosini.
23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
Umyanga uyakhuluma ngokuncenga, kodwa isinothi siphendula izinto ezilukhuni.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Umuntu wabangane abanengi uzachitheka, kodwa kulomngane onamathela kuleselamani.
