Ecclesiastes 4
1 But I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.
Ngakhangela njalo ngabona konke ukuncindezelwa okwakukhona ngaphansi kwelanga: Ngabona inyembezi zabancindezelwayo babengelabaduduzi; amandla ayekulaba abancindezelayo abalaye umduduzi.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;
Ngangifakaza ukuthi abafileyo, abavele sebefile, bayathokoza kulabaphilayo, abalokhu besaphila.
3 but better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Kodwa okungcono kulakho kokubili ngulowo ongakabikhona, ongakaboni ububi obenziwayo ngaphansi kwelanga.
4 Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ngasengibona ukuthi konke ukusebenza lokuphumelela konke kuvela emhawini womuntu ngomakhelwane wakhe. Lokhu lakho kuyize, kuyikuxotshana lomoya.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Isiwula sigoqa izandla zaso sidilize impilo yaso.
6 Better is a handful of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.
Kungcono isandla esisodwa esigcweleyo silokuthula kulezandla ezimbili ezingagcwalanga ezilomtshikatshika lokuxotshana lomoya.
7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Njalo ngabona okunye okuyize ngaphansi kwelanga:
8 There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.
Kwakulendoda eyayiyodwa zwi; yayingelandodana loba umfowabo. Yayisebenza gadalala ingaphumuli, kodwa amehlo ayo ayengasuthiswa yinotho yayo. Yabuza yathi, “Ngiginqela bani kangaka, njalo kungani ngizincitsha intokozo?” Lokhu lakho kuyize umsebenzi othelela usizi!
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Ababili bangcono kuloyedwa, ngoba balomvuzo obonakalayo ngomsebenzi wabo.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.
Omunye angawa, umngane wakhe uyamncedisa amvuse. Kodwa maye lowomuntu owayo kungelamuntu ongamsiza amvuse!
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
Njalo nxa ababili belala ndawonye bazakhudumezana. Kanti umuntu angakhudumala kanjani eyedwa na?
12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Loba umuntu engehlulwa nxa eyedwa, ababili bangazivikela. Intambo elemicu emithathu kayiqamuki lula.
13 Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
Lingcono ijaha elingumyanga kodwa lihlakaniphile kulenkosi endala eyisiwula eyalayo ukwamukela izixwayiso.
14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor.
Ijaha lelo kungabe ngeliphuma ejele libe yinkosi, loba lingelazalelwa ebuyangeni elizweni lalowombuso.
15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead.
Ngabona ukuthi bonke ababephila behamba ngaphansi kwelanga balilandela lelojaha elathatha isikhundla sobukhosi.
16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Amakhosi la (endala lencinyane) kungabe ayelodumo elandelwa ngabantu abanengi abangelakubalwa. Kodwa izizukulwane ezilandelayo azimthandanga lowo owathatha ubukhosi. Lokhu lakho kuyize, yikuxotshana lomoya.
