Proverbs 25
1 These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
Lezi ngezinye njalo izaga zikaSolomoni, ezabhalwa yizinceku zikaHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
Kuyinkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ukufihla indaba; ukuchwayisisa indaba ludumo lwababusi.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
Njengalokhu izulu liphakeme lomhlaba ujulile, kanjalo imicabango yamakhosi kayifinyelelwa.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
Susa amakhafutha ahlangene lesiliva umkhandi athole ukulungisa isitsha sihle;
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
susa abantu ababi phambi kwenkosi, isihlalo sayo sizaqiniswa ngokulunga.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
Ungaziphakamisi phambi kwenkosi, ungaziphendleli indawo phakathi kwezikhulu;
7 for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
kuba ngcono ukuthi yona ithi, “Woza uhlale ngapha,” kulokuthi yona ikwehlise phambi kwezikhulu. Lokho okubonileyo ngawakho amehlo
8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
ungaphangisi ukukubika emthethwandaba, ngoba uzathini nxa umakhelwane wakho esekuyangisa?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
Nxa ungaya edale lomakhelwane wakho ungahambi usuhlabela imfihlo yenu,
10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
funa lowo okuzwayo akuyangise uhlale usungumuntu olebizo elibi.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Ilizwi elikhulunywe ngesikhathi esifaneleyo linjengama-aphula egolide ananyekwe emcepheni wesiliva.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
Njengecici legolide kumbe umceciso wegolide elicengiweyo kunjalo ukukhuza komuntu ohlakaniphileyo, kolalelayo.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Njengokuqanda kongqwaqwane ngesikhathi sokuvuna sinjalo isithunywa esithembekileyo kwabasithumileyo; sivuselela imiphefumulo yabaphathi baso.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Njengamayezi lomoya okungalethi izulu unjalo umuntu ozikhukhumeza ngamandla angelawo.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Ngokubekezela inkosi ingancengwa ize ivume, lolimi oluthambileyo lungalephula ithambo.
16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
Nxa uthole inyosi, dlana okwaneleyo ungedlulisi amalawulo, uzazihlanza.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Ungabi ngunsukuzonke endlini kamakhelwane wakho uzacina usumdaka abesekuzonda.
18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
Unjengesagila loba inkemba kumbe umtshoko obukhali umuntu ofakaza amanga ngomakhelwane wakhe.
19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
Njengezinyo elibuhlungu loba unyawo olwenyeleyo kunjalo ukweyama emuntwini ongathembekanga ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka.
20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Njengomuntu okhumula ibhatshi mhla kumakhaza, loba njengokuthela iviniga phakathi kwesoda unjalo ohlabelela izingoma emuntwini odabukileyo.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Nxa isitha sakho silambile siphe ukudla sidle; nxa somile siphe amanzi sinathe.
22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Ngokwenza lokho, umokhela amalahle avuthayo ekhanda, njalo uThixo uzakubusisa.
23 As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
Njengomoya wasenyakatho uletha izulu, lunjalo ulimi olulobuqili luvusa ulaka.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Kungcono ukuhlala ekhulusini lophahla lwendlu kulokuhlala ndlu yinye lomfazi olomlomo.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Njengamanzi aqandayo emuntwini okhatheleyo, zinjalo izindaba ezimnandi ezivela elizweni elikude.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
Njengesiziba esidungekileyo loba umthombo ongcolileyo unjalo umuntu olungileyo odedela umuntu omubi.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
Kakukuhle ukudla inyosi wedlulise, njalo kakulasithunzi ukuzidingela ukudunyiswa.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
Njengedolobho eselidilikelwe ngumthangala walo unjalo umuntu ongazithintiyo.
