Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
Ukuhlakanipha sekuzakhele indlu yakho, imisiwe ngezinsika eziyisikhombisa.
2 She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
Isiphekiwe inyama yakho kwalungiswa lewayini; konke sekudekiwe etafuleni.
3 She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
Usewathumile amantombazana, uyanxusa emi ezindaweni eziphakemeyo zedolobho.
4 “If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
“Akuthi bonke abayizithutha beze lapha!” Esitsho kulabo abangaqedisisiyo.
5 “Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
“Wozani lidle ukudla kwami linathe iwayini esengililungisile.
6 Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
Lahlani izindlela zenu zobuthutha lizaphila; hambani ngendlela yokuzwisisa.”
7 Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
Lowo oweluleka oklolodayo ubiza inhlamba; okhuza umuntu oxhwalileyo ucina ethethiswa.
8 Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
Ungakhuzi isiqholo ngoba sizakuzonda; khuza ohlakaniphileyo uzakuthanda.
9 Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
Yeluleka umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uzakwandisa ukuhlakanipha kwakhe; fundisa umuntu olungileyo, uzakwengeza ulwazi lwakhe.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
Ukumesaba uThixo kuyikuqala kwenhlakanipho, njalo ulwazi ngaLowo oNgcwele luyikuqedisisa.
11 For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
Ngoba ngami zizakuba zinengi insuku zakho, kwandiswe iminyaka yokuphila kwakho.
12 If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.
Nxa uhlakaniphile, ukuhlakanipha kwakho kuzakusiza; aluba uyisiqholo, uzahlupheka wedwa.
13 A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
Umfazi othiwa nguBuwula ulomsindo; kagobeki njalo kazi lutho.
14 sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
Uthanda ukuhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni endaweni esesiqongweni sedolobho,
15 so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
abe ehuga labo abedlulayo, abahamba beqonde lapho abaya khona.
16 “Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
“Abeze lapha bonke abayizithutha!” Esitsho kulabo abangacabangiyo.
17 “Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
“Ulutho lokuntshontshwa lumnandi; ukudla okudlelwa ensitha kuyahlabusa!”
