Proverbs 18
1 He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
Ozehlukanisayo udinga okuloyisekayo kwakhe; ufohlela inhlakanipho yonke.
2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
Isithutha kasithokozi ekuqedisiseni, kodwa ukuze inhliziyo yaso iziveze.
3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
Lapho okhohlakeleyo esiza, kuza lokudelela, njalo kanye lenhloni, ihlazo.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
Amazwi omlomo womuntu angamanzi azikileyo; umthombo wenhlakanipho uyisifula esigobhozayo.
5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
Kakulunganga ukwemukela ubuso bokhohlakeleyo, ukuphambula olungileyo kusahlulelo.
6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
Indebe zesithutha zingena enkanini, lomlomo waso ubiza imivimvinya.
7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
Umlomo wesithutha uyintshabalalo yaso, lendebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
8 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
9 He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
Lolivila emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo womchithi.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
Ibizo leNkosi lingumphotshongo oqinileyo; olungileyo uzagijimela kuwo amiswe phezulu evikelekile.
11 The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
Inotho yesinothi ingumuzi waso oqinileyo, lanjengomthangala ophakemeyo ekucabangeni kwaso.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
Mandulo kokubhujiswa inhliziyo yomuntu iyaziphakamisa, njalo mandulo kodumo kulokuthobeka.
13 To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
Ophendula indaba engakezwa, kuyibuwula kuye, lehlazo.
14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
Umoya womuntu uzasekela ukugula kwakhe, kodwa umoya owephukileyo, ngubani ongawuthwala?
15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
Inhliziyo yoqedisisayo izuza ulwazi, lendlebe yabahlakaniphileyo idinga ulwazi.
16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
Isipho somuntu siyamvulela ngokubanzi, simkhokhelela phambi kwabakhulu.
17 The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
Ongowokuqala ecaleni lakhe ubonakala elungile, kodwa umakhelwane wakhe ufika amhlole.
18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
Inkatho iqeda izingxabano, yehlukanise phakathi kwabalamandla.
19 A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
Umzalwane owoniweyo wedlula umuzi oqinileyo, lengxabano zinjengomgoqo wenqaba.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
Isisu somuntu siyasuthiswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe, uzasuthiswa yinzuzo yendebe zakhe.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
Ukufa lempilo kusesandleni solimi; labaluthandayo bazakudla isithelo salo.
22 Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
Othole umfazi uthole okuhle, uzuze umusa eNkosini.
23 The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
Umyanga uyakhuluma ngokuncenga, kodwa isinothi siphendula izinto ezilukhuni.
24 There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
Umuntu wabangane abanengi uzachitheka, kodwa kulomngane onamathela kuleselamani.
