Proverbs 18
1 THROUGH desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Umuntu ongelamusa uzifunela okwakhe; uyazilahla zonke iziqondiso ezinhle.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.
3 When the wicked cometh, then 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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Amazwi omlomo womuntu ayinziki yamanzi, kodwa umthombo wokuhlakanipha ngumfudlana ontuntuzayo.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Kakukuhle ukulungisela ababi loba ukungehluleli kuhle abangelacala.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Izindebe zesiwula zisilethela ingxabano, lomlomo waso unxusa ukutshaywa.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Umlomo wesiwula yiwo osidilizayo, lezindebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Amazwi omuntu onyeyayo anjengezibiliboco; angena ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yomuntu.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to 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 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 an high wall in his own conceit.
Inotho yezikhulu ingumuzi wazo ovikelweyo; zicabanga ukuthi imiduli yawo ayikhweleki.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Umuntu uyazikhukhumeza ngenhliziyo yakhe, mandulo kokuba awe, ikanti ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Umphefumulo womuntu uyamqinisa nxa egula, kodwa ngubani ongaphila elomoya owephukileyo na?
15 The heart of the prudent 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 their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Umzalwane owonelweyo uba lukhuni kulomuzi ohonqolozelweyo, lezingxabano zinjengamasango enqaba avaliweyo.
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; 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 the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Ulimi lulamandla okuphila lokufa, njalo labo abaluthandayo bazakudla izithelo zalo.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
Lowo ozuza umfazi ufumana okuhle, athole umusa kuThixo.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Umyanga uyancenga ukuthi axolelwe, kodwa isinothi siphendula ngolaka.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.
