Proverbs 22
1 A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
Ibizo elihle likhethekile kulenotho enengi; isisa esihle kulesiliva njalo kulegolide.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
Onothileyo lomyanga bayahlangana; iNkosi yabenza bonke.
3 If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
Ohlakaniphileyo ubona ububi acatshe, kodwa abangelalwazi bayaqhubeka babesebejeziswa.
4 The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
Umvuzo wokuthobeka lokwesaba iNkosi kuyinotho lodumo lempilo.
5 Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
Ameva lemijibila kusendleleni yabaphambeneyo; ogcina umphefumulo wakhe uzakuba khatshana labo.
6 Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
Fundisa umntwana endleleni angahamba ngayo; ngitsho esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.
7 The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
Onothileyo ubusa abayanga, lomeboleki uyisigqili somebolekisi.
8 Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
Ohlanyela ukonakala uzavuna ukuhlupheka, lentonga yolaka lwakhe izaphela.
9 If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
Olelihlo elilokuhle yena uzabusiswa, ngoba unikile okwesinkwa sakhe kumyanga.
10 Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
Xotsha isideleli, kuzaphuma lenkani, yebo, ingxabano lehlazo kuzaphela.
11 Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
Othanda ukuhlanzeka kwenhliziyo, ngenxa yesisa sendebe zakhe, inkosi ingumgane wakhe.
12 The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
Amehlo eNkosi alondoloza ulwazi, kodwa izachitha amazwi abangathembekanga.
13 Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
Ivila lithi: Kulesilwane ngaphandle; ngizabulawa phakathi kwezitalada.
14 The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
Umlomo wabesifazana bemzini ungumgodi otshonayo; lowo iNkosi emthukutheleleyo uzawela khona.
15 Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
Ubuthutha bubotshelwe enhliziyweni yomntwana; uswazi lokuqondisa luzabususela khatshana laye.
16 If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
Ocindezela umyanga ukwandisa alakho, opha onothileyo, isibili uzakuba ngoswelayo.
17 Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
Beka indlebe yakho, uzwe amazwi abahlakaniphileyo, umise inhliziyo yakho elwazini lami.
18 for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
Ngoba kumnandi uba uwalondoloza emibilini yakho; azahlala elungile kanyekanye endebeni zakho.
19 I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
Ukuze ithemba lakho libe seNkosini, ngikwazisile wona lamuhla, ngitsho wena.
20 Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
Kangikubhalelanga yini izinto ezinhle kakhulu kuzeluleko lelwazini?
21 They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
Ukukwazisa ukuqiniseka kwamazwi eqiniso, ukuze ubuyisele amazwi eqiniso kulabo abakuthumileyo.
22 For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
Ungamphangi umyanga ngoba engumyanga, njalo ungamchobozi oswelayo esangweni.
23 for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
Ngoba iNkosi izamela udaba lwabo, iphange umphefumulo wababaphangayo.
24 Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
Ungahlanganyeli lomuntu ololaka, ungahambisani lomuntu othukuthelayo,
25 in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
hlezi ufunde indlela zakhe, wemukele umjibila emphefumulweni wakho.
26 Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
Ungabi phakathi kwababambana izandla, phakathi kwabayizibambiso ngezikwelede.
27 for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
Uba ungelakho okokuhlawula, kungani ezathatha umbheda wakho ngaphansi kwakho?
28 Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
Ungatshedisi isikhonkwane esidala somngcele, oyihlo abasenzayo.
29 If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
Uyambona yini umuntu oyingcitshi emsebenzini wakhe? Uzazimisa phambi kwamakhosi; kayikuzimisa phambi kwabantukazana.
