Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
Umuntu ongelamusa uzifunela okwakhe; uyazilahla zonke iziqondiso ezinhle.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Nxa kufika ububi kufika lokweyisa, njalo ihlazo liza lokudumazeka.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
Amazwi omlomo womuntu ayinziki yamanzi, kodwa umthombo wokuhlakanipha ngumfudlana ontuntuzayo.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
Kakukuhle ukulungisela ababi loba ukungehluleli kuhle abangelacala.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
Izindebe zesiwula zisilethela ingxabano, lomlomo waso unxusa ukutshaywa.
7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Umlomo wesiwula yiwo osidilizayo, lezindebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
8 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Amazwi omuntu onyeyayo anjengezibiliboco; angena ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yomuntu.
9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
Lowo ovilaphayo emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo walowo odilizayo.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Ibizo likaThixo liyinqaba eqinileyo; abalungileyo babalekela kulo baphephe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
Inotho yezikhulu ingumuzi wazo ovikelweyo; zicabanga ukuthi imiduli yawo ayikhweleki.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
Umuntu uyazikhukhumeza ngenhliziyo yakhe, mandulo kokuba awe, ikanti ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
Umphefumulo womuntu uyamqinisa nxa egula, kodwa ngubani ongaphila elomoya owephukileyo na?
15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Inhliziyo yabaqedisisayo izuza ulwazi; indlebe zabahlakaniphileyo ziyakudinga.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Isipho siyamvulela indlela ophayo azuze ithuba lokubonana labakhulu.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Ecaleni okhuluma kuqala ubonakala enguye olungileyo, kuze kuqhamuke omunye ambuzisise.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Ukwenza inkatho kuyakuqeda ukulwisana, kubehlukanise abaxabanayo.
19 A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.
Umzalwane owonelweyo uba lukhuni kulomuzi ohonqolozelweyo, lezingxabano zinjengamasango enqaba avaliweyo.
20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
Isisu somuntu sigcwaliswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe; usuthiswa yisivuno sezindebe zakhe.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Ulimi lulamandla okuphila lokufa, njalo labo abaluthandayo bazakudla izithelo zalo.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
Lowo ozuza umfazi ufumana okuhle, athole umusa kuThixo.
23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
Umyanga uyancenga ukuthi axolelwe, kodwa isinothi siphendula ngolaka.
24 A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.
