Proverbs 18
1 THROUGH desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Ozehlukanisayo udinga okuloyisekayo kwakhe; ufohlela inhlakanipho yonke.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Isithutha kasithokozi ekuqedisiseni, kodwa ukuze inhliziyo yaso iziveze.
3 When the wicked cometh, then 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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Amazwi omlomo womuntu angamanzi azikileyo; umthombo wenhlakanipho uyisifula esigobhozayo.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Kakulunganga ukwemukela ubuso bokhohlakeleyo, ukuphambula olungileyo kusahlulelo.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Indebe zesithutha zingena enkanini, lomlomo waso ubiza imivimvinya.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Umlomo wesithutha uyintshabalalo yaso, lendebe 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 onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Lolivila emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo womchithi.
10 The name of the Lord 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 an high wall in his own conceit.
Inotho yesinothi ingumuzi waso oqinileyo, lanjengomthangala ophakemeyo ekucabangeni kwaso.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Mandulo kokubhujiswa inhliziyo yomuntu iyaziphakamisa, njalo mandulo kodumo kulokuthobeka.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Ophendula indaba engakezwa, kuyibuwula kuye, lehlazo.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Umoya womuntu uzasekela ukugula kwakhe, kodwa umoya owephukileyo, ngubani ongawuthwala?
15 The heart of the prudent 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 their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Umzalwane owoniweyo wedlula umuzi oqinileyo, lengxabano zinjengomgoqo wenqaba.
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 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 findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
Othole umfazi uthole okuhle, uzuze umusa eNkosini.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Umyanga uyakhuluma ngokuncenga, kodwa isinothi siphendula izinto ezilukhuni.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Umuntu wabangane abanengi uzachitheka, kodwa kulomngane onamathela kuleselamani.
