Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Umuntu omubi uyabaleka loba engaxotshaniswa muntu, kodwa abalungileyo balesibindi njengesilwane.
2 A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
Nxa ilizwe lihlamuka liba lababusi abanengi, kodwa umuntu ozwisisayo lololwazi ugcina ukuthula.
3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
Umbusi oncindezela abayanga unjengezulu elinengi elikhukhula amabele.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
Labo abaphikisa umthetho bakhuthaza izigangi, kodwa labo abawugcinayo bayazenqabela.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
Abantu ababi kabakuzwisisi ukwahlulela kuhle, kodwa labo abamdingayo uThixo bayakuzwisisa kakhulu.
6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
Ungcono umyanga ohamba ngokulunga kulesinothi esilezindlela zokungcola.
7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Lowo ogcina umthetho yindodana eqedisisayo, kodwa umngane wezixhwali uyangisa uyise.
8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
Lowo owandisa inotho yakhe ngenzaliso uyibuthela omunye ozaba lomusa kubayanga.
9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
Loba ngubani ongawulaleliyo umthetho, lemikhuleko yakhe izakuba yisinengiso.
10 He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
Lowo oholela olungileyo endleleni embi uzawela emjibileni wakhe, kodwa ongelacala uzakwamukela ilifa elihle.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
Umuntu onothileyo angazibona ingathi uhlakaniphile, kodwa umyanga oqedisisayo uhle abone ukuthi kasumuntu.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
Nxa olungileyo enqoba kulokujabula okukhulu; kodwa nxa omubi ethatha umbuso abantu bayacatsha.
13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Lowo ofihla iziphambeko zakhe kayikuphumelela, kodwa lowo ozivumayo azitshiye ufumana umusa.
14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Ubusisiwe umuntu ohlala emesaba uThixo, kodwa lowo oyenza lukhuni inhliziyo yakhe uwela enkathazweni.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
Njengesilwane esibhongayo loba ibhele elihlaselayo unjalo umuntu omubi nxa ebusa abantu abangelamandla.
16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
Umbusi oncindezelayo wehluleka ukwahlulela kuhle, kodwa lowo ozonda inzuzo yokuganga uzakuba lempilo ende.
17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
Umuntu odliwa ngumzwangedwa wokubulala omunye uzaba ngohlala ebaleka aze ayokufa; akungabi lomuntu omsekelayo.
18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
Lowo ompilo yakhe ingelacala uvikelekile, kodwa ondlela zakhe zixhwalile uzakuwa masinyane.
19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Lowo osebenza nzima emasimini akhe uzathola ukudla okunengi, kodwa lowo ophika ngezifiso eziyize uzakuba ngumyanga onukayo.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
Umuntu othembekileyo uzabusiswa ngokuphumelela, kodwa ogijimela ukunotha kayikuphepha ekujezisweni.
21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
Ukubandlulula abantu kakulunganga ikanti umuntu uyona ukuze azuze ucezu lwesinkwa.
22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
Umuntu oncitshanayo utshisekela ukunotha kodwa kaboni ukuthi unyenyelwa yibuyanga.
23 He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
Lowo okhuza umuntu uzacina esethandeka kulalowo ololimi olukhohlisayo.
24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
Lowo ontshontshela uyise loba unina athi, “Akusinto embi” ungumngane lomuntu obhidlizayo.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
Umuntu olomhawu ubanga ingxabano, kodwa lowo omethembayo uThixo uzaphumelela.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
Lowo ozithembayo yena uyisiwula, kodwa lowo ohamba ngenhlakanipho uvikelekile.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
Lowo opha abayanga kayikuswela lutho, kodwa ovala amehlo ingathi kababoni uzuza iziqalekiso ezinengi.
28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
Lapho izigangi zisiba yiziphathamandla abantu bayacatsha; kodwa nxa kusifa izixhwali abalungileyo bayaphumelela.
