Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
Ozehlukanisayo udinga okuloyisekayo kwakhe; ufohlela inhlakanipho yonke.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
Isithutha kasithokozi ekuqedisiseni, kodwa ukuze inhliziyo yaso iziveze.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Lapho okhohlakeleyo esiza, kuza lokudelela, njalo kanye lenhloni, ihlazo.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
Amazwi omlomo womuntu angamanzi azikileyo; umthombo wenhlakanipho uyisifula esigobhozayo.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
Kakulunganga ukwemukela ubuso bokhohlakeleyo, ukuphambula olungileyo kusahlulelo.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
Indebe zesithutha zingena enkanini, lomlomo waso ubiza imivimvinya.
7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Umlomo wesithutha uyintshabalalo yaso, lendebe 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 onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
Lolivila emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo womchithi.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Ibizo leNkosi lingumphotshongo oqinileyo; olungileyo uzagijimela kuwo amiswe phezulu evikelekile.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
Inotho yesinothi ingumuzi waso oqinileyo, lanjengomthangala ophakemeyo ekucabangeni kwaso.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
Mandulo kokubhujiswa inhliziyo yomuntu iyaziphakamisa, njalo mandulo kodumo kulokuthobeka.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
Ophendula indaba engakezwa, kuyibuwula kuye, lehlazo.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
Umoya womuntu uzasekela ukugula kwakhe, kodwa umoya owephukileyo, ngubani ongawuthwala?
15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Inhliziyo yoqedisisayo izuza ulwazi, lendlebe yabahlakaniphileyo idinga ulwazi.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Isipho somuntu siyamvulela ngokubanzi, simkhokhelela phambi kwabakhulu.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Ongowokuqala ecaleni lakhe ubonakala elungile, kodwa umakhelwane wakhe ufika amhlole.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Inkatho iqeda izingxabano, yehlukanise phakathi kwabalamandla.
19 A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.
Umzalwane owoniweyo wedlula umuzi oqinileyo, lengxabano zinjengomgoqo wenqaba.
20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
Isisu somuntu siyasuthiswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe, uzasuthiswa yinzuzo yendebe zakhe.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Ukufa lempilo kusesandleni solimi; labaluthandayo bazakudla isithelo salo.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
Othole umfazi uthole okuhle, uzuze umusa eNkosini.
23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
Umyanga uyakhuluma ngokuncenga, kodwa isinothi siphendula izinto ezilukhuni.
24 A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
Umuntu wabangane abanengi uzachitheka, kodwa kulomngane onamathela kuleselamani.
