Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Iwayini liyisideleli; okunathwayo okulamandla kulomsindo; njalo wonke oduha kukho kahlakaniphanga.
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
Ukwesabeka kwenkosi kunjengokubhonga kwebhongo lesilwane; oyithukuthelisayo wona umphefumulo wakhe.
3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
Kuludumo emuntwini ukuyekela inkani; kodwa sonke isiwula siyaziveza.
4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
Ngenxa yobusika ivila kaliyikulima; ngakho lizaphanza esivunweni, kodwa kungabi lalutho.
5 The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
Iseluleko enhliziyweni yomuntu sinjengamanzi azikileyo, kodwa umuntu oqedisisayo uzasikha.
6 Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
Inengi labantu limemezela, lowo lalowo ukulunga kwakhe, kodwa ngubani ongathola umuntu othembekileyo?
7 The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
Olungileyo uhamba ngobuqotho bakhe; babusisiwe abantwana bakhe emva kwakhe.
8 A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
Inkosi ehlezi esihlalweni sesahlulelo ihlakaza bonke ububi ngamehlo ayo.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
Ngubani ongathi: Ngihlanzile inhliziyo yami, ngihlambulukile esonweni sami?
10 Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
Amatshe ezilinganiso ezehlukeneyo, ama-efa ehlukeneyo, kuyisinengiso eNkosini, yebo kokubili.
11 Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
Lomntwana uyazazisa ngezenzo zakhe, loba umsebenzi wakhe uhlanzekile kumbe loba uqotho.
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
Indlebe ezwayo lelihlo elibonayo, iNkosi yakwenza, yebo kokubili.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
Ungathandi ubuthongo, hlezi ube ngumyanga; vula amehlo akho, usuthe isinkwa.
14 “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
Kubi, kubi, kutsho umthengi; kodwa esehambile abesezincoma.
15 There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
Kulegolide, lobunengi bamatshe aligugu, kodwa indebe zolwazi zingumceciso oligugu.
16 Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
Thatha isembatho sakhe oyisibambiso sowemzini, umbambe abe yisibambiso sabezizwe.
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
Isinkwa samanga simnandi emuntwini, kodwa emva kwalokho umlomo wakhe uzagcwaliswa ngokhethe.
18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
Imicabango uyimisa ngeseluleko; ngakho yenza impi ngamaqhinga amahle.
19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
Ohambahamba enyeya wembula imfihlakalo; ngakho ungahlangani lokhohlisa ngendebe zakhe.
20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
Othuka uyise loba unina, isibane sakhe sizacitshwa ebumnyameni obumnyama.
21 An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
Ilifa lingaphangisiswa ekuqaleni, kodwa ukucina kwalo kakuyikubusiswa.
22 Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
Ungathi: Ngizaphindisela okubi; lindela iNkosi, njalo izakusindisa.
23 Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
Amatshe ezilinganiso ezehlukeneyo ayisinengiso eNkosini, lesikali esikhohlisayo kasilunganga.
24 A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
Izinyathelo zomuntu zivela eNkosini; pho, umuntu angaqedisisa njani indlela yakhe?
25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
Kungumjibila emuntwini ukuginya okungcwele, lokuhlolisisa emva kwezifungo.
26 A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
Inkosi ehlakaniphileyo ihlakaza ababi, ibuyisela ivili phezu kwabo.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
Umphefumulo womuntu uyisibane seNkosi, sihlolisisa wonke amakamelo esisu.
28 Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
Umusa leqiniso kuyayigcina inkosi, isekela isihlalo sayo sobukhosi ngokulunga.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
Udumo lwejaha lungamandla alo, lobukhosi babadala yizimvu zekhanda.
30 Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
Imivimvinya yenxeba ihlanza ububi, ngokunjalo izidutshuzo zamakamelo esisu.
