Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Lalezi yizaga zikaSolomoni abantu bakaHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda abazikopayo.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Kuludumo lukaNkulunkulu ukufihla udaba, kodwa kuludumo lwamakhosi ukuhlolisisa udaba.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Amazulu ngokuphakama, lomhlaba ngokujula, lenhliziyo yamakhosi kakulakuhlolisiswa.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
Susa amanyele esiliveni, besekuphuma isitsha somncibilikisi.
5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Susa okhohlakeleyo phambi kwenkosi, besekuqiniswa isihlalo sayo sobukhosi ngokulunga.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
Ungaziqhenyi phambi kwenkosi, njalo ungemi endaweni yezikhulu;
7 for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
ngoba kungcono kuthiwe kuwe: Yenyukela ngapha, kulokuthi wehliswe phambi kwesiphathamandla, amehlo akho asibonileyo.
8 Do not be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
Ungaphangisi ukuphuma ukuyaphikisana, hlezi wenze ulutho ekucineni kwakho, lapho umakhelwane wakho esekuyangisile.
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another;
Mela udaba lwakho lomakhelwane wakho, kodwa ungavezi imfihlo yomunye;
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
hlezi okuzwayo akuyangise, lesigcono sakho singaphambuki.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Ilizwi elikhulunywe ngokufaneleyo linjengama-apula egolide ezitsheni zesiliva ezibaziweyo.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
Isongo legolide lesiceciso segolide elihle kungumkhuzi ohlakaniphileyo endlebeni ezwayo.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Isithunywa esithembekileyo kwabasithumileyo sinjengomqando weliqhwa elikhithikileyo ngosuku lokuvuna, ngoba sivuselela umphefumulo wamakhosi aso.
14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
Umuntu oziqhenya ngesipho samanga unjengamayezi lomoya okungelazulu.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Ngokubekezela umbusi angavunyiswa, lolimi oluthambileyo lwephula ithambo.
16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Utholile yini uluju? Dlana okwenele wena, hlezi uludle kakhulu, uluhlanze.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Unyawo lwakho kalungavami endlini kamakhelwane wakho, hlezi akusuthe akuzonde.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Umuntu ofakaza ubufakazi bamanga ngomakhelwane wakhe uyisagila lenkemba lomtshoko obukhali.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
Ukuthemba ongathembekanga ngosuku lokuhlupheka kunjengezinyo elephukileyo, lonyawo olwenyeleyo.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Ohlabelela izingoma enhliziyweni edabukileyo unjengokhupha isembatho ngosuku lwamakhaza, njengeviniga phakathi kwesoda.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink,
Uba okuzondayo elambile, umnike isinkwa adle, njalo uba omile, umnike amanzi anathe;
22 for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
ngoba uzabekelela amalahle omlilo ekhanda lakhe, leNkosi izakuvuza.
23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
Umoya wenyakatho uletha izulu, lolimi lwemfihlo ubuso obulolaka.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Kungcono ukuhlala engonsini yophahla kulalowesifazana wezinkani lendlini yokuhlanganyela.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Umbiko omuhle ovela elizweni elikhatshana unjengamanzi aqandayo emphefumulweni owomileyo.
26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
Olungileyo ozanyazanyiswayo phambi kokhohlakeleyo ungumthombo odungekileyo lesiphethu esonakeleyo.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
Ukudla uluju olunengi kakulunganga; lokuthi badinge udumo lwabo kakusidumo.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Umuntu ongathinti umoya wakhe unjengomuzi ofohlelweyo ongelamthangala.
