Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
Njengeliqhwa elikhithikileyo ehlobo lanjengezulu ngesikhathi sokuvuna, ngokunjalo udumo kalusifanelanga isithutha.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
Njengenyoni ekuzulazuleni, njengenkonjane ekuphapheni, ngokunjalo isiqalekiso kungelasizatho kasiyikufika.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
Isiswepu ngesebhiza, itomu ngelikababhemi, loswazi ngolomhlana wezithutha.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Ungaphenduli isithutha ngokobuthutha baso, hlezi lawe ufanane laso.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Phendula isithutha ngokobuthutha baso, hlezi sibe ngesihlakaniphileyo emehlweni aso.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
Othumela amazwi ngesandla sesithutha, uquma inyawo, unatha isihluku.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.
Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
Njengameva enyuka esandleni sesidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
Njengenja ebuyela emahlanzweni ayongokunjalo isithutha siphinda ubuthutha baso.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
Uyabona yini umuntu ohlakaniphileyo emehlweni akhe? Kulethemba elikhulu esithutheni kulaye.
13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
Olivila uthi: Kulesilwane endleleni; isilwane sisezitaladeni.
14 [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
Isivalo siphenduka ngamabhanti aso, ngokunjalo ivila embhedeni walo.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Ivila lifihla isandla salo emganwini, liyavilapha ukusibuyisela emlonyeni walo.
16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Ivila lihlakaniphile emehlweni alo okwedlula abayisikhombisa abangaphendula ngenhlakanipho.
17 He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Odlulayo engenela ingxabano engeyisiyo eyakhe ungobamba indlebe zenja.
18 As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
Njengohlanya oluphosa izikhuni ezivuthayo, imitshoko, lokufa,
19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
unjalo umuntu okhohlisa umakhelwane wakhe, abesesithi: Kangisomi yini?
20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
22 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.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
Ozondayo uyazenzisa ngezindebe zakhe, kodwa ufaka inkohliso ngaphakathi kwakhe.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
Lapho esenza ilizwi lakhe libe ngelomusa, ungamkholwa, ngoba izinengiso eziyisikhombisa zisenhliziyweni yakhe.
26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.
Inzondo isibekelwa ngenkohliso; ububi bakhe buzakwembulwa ebandleni.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Ogebhayo umgodi uzawela kuwo, logiqa ilitshe, lizabuyela kuye.
28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Ulimi lwamanga luzonda olubachobozayo, lomlomo obutshelezi usebenza incithakalo.
