Proverbs 18
1 For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.
Umuntu ongelamusa uzifunela okwakhe; uyazilahla zonke iziqondiso ezinhle.
2 A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.
Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.
3 When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.
Nxa kufika ububi kufika lokweyisa, njalo ihlazo liza lokudumazeka.
4 The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
Amazwi omlomo womuntu ayinziki yamanzi, kodwa umthombo wokuhlakanipha ngumfudlana ontuntuzayo.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
Kakukuhle ukulungisela ababi loba ukungehluleli kuhle abangelacala.
6 A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
Izindebe zesiwula zisilethela ingxabano, lomlomo waso unxusa ukutshaywa.
7 A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.
Umlomo wesiwula yiwo osidilizayo, lezindebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
8 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
Amazwi omuntu onyeyayo anjengezibiliboco; angena ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yomuntu.
9 He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
Lowo ovilaphayo emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo walowo odilizayo.
10 The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted.
Ibizo likaThixo liyinqaba eqinileyo; abalungileyo babalekela kulo baphephe.
11 The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.
Inotho yezikhulu ingumuzi wazo ovikelweyo; zicabanga ukuthi imiduli yawo ayikhweleki.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.
Umuntu uyazikhukhumeza ngenhliziyo yakhe, mandulo kokuba awe, ikanti ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.
13 He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him.
Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.
14 The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?
Umphefumulo womuntu uyamqinisa nxa egula, kodwa ngubani ongaphila elomoya owephukileyo na?
15 A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.
Inhliziyo yabaqedisisayo izuza ulwazi; indlebe zabahlakaniphileyo ziyakudinga.
16 A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
Isipho siyamvulela indlela ophayo azuze ithuba lokubonana labakhulu.
17 He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.
Ecaleni okhuluma kuqala ubonakala enguye olungileyo, kuze kuqhamuke omunye ambuzisise.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.
Ukwenza inkatho kuyakuqeda ukulwisana, kubehlukanise abaxabanayo.
19 A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.
Umzalwane owonelweyo uba lukhuni kulomuzi ohonqolozelweyo, lezingxabano zinjengamasango enqaba avaliweyo.
20 With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Isisu somuntu sigcwaliswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe; usuthiswa yisivuno sezindebe zakhe.
21 Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.
Ulimi lulamandla okuphila lokufa, njalo labo abaluthandayo bazakudla izithelo zalo.
22 He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.
Lowo ozuza umfazi ufumana okuhle, athole umusa kuThixo.
23 The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
Umyanga uyancenga ukuthi axolelwe, kodwa isinothi siphendula ngolaka.
24 A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.
Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.
