Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has set up her seven pillars.
Ukuhlakanipha sekuzakhele indlu yakho, imisiwe ngezinsika eziyisikhombisa.
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
Isiphekiwe inyama yakho kwalungiswa lewayini; konke sekudekiwe etafuleni.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
Usewathumile amantombazana, uyanxusa emi ezindaweni eziphakemeyo zedolobho.
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“Akuthi bonke abayizithutha beze lapha!” Esitsho kulabo abangaqedisisiyo.
5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed.
“Wozani lidle ukudla kwami linathe iwayini esengililungisile.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
Lahlani izindlela zenu zobuthutha lizaphila; hambani ngendlela yokuzwisisa.”
7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
Lowo oweluleka oklolodayo ubiza inhlamba; okhuza umuntu oxhwalileyo ucina ethethiswa.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Ungakhuzi isiqholo ngoba sizakuzonda; khuza ohlakaniphileyo uzakuthanda.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Yeluleka umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uzakwandisa ukuhlakanipha kwakhe; fundisa umuntu olungileyo, uzakwengeza ulwazi lwakhe.
10 The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Ukumesaba uThixo kuyikuqala kwenhlakanipho, njalo ulwazi ngaLowo oNgcwele luyikuqedisisa.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
Ngoba ngami zizakuba zinengi insuku zakho, kwandiswe iminyaka yokuphila kwakho.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
Nxa uhlakaniphile, ukuhlakanipha kwakho kuzakusiza; aluba uyisiqholo, uzahlupheka wedwa.
13 The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
Umfazi othiwa nguBuwula ulomsindo; kagobeki njalo kazi lutho.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
Uthanda ukuhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni endaweni esesiqongweni sedolobho,
15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
abe ehuga labo abedlulayo, abahamba beqonde lapho abaya khona.
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“Abeze lapha bonke abayizithutha!” Esitsho kulabo abangacabangiyo.
17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
“Ulutho lokuntshontshwa lumnandi; ukudla okudlelwa ensitha kuyahlabusa!”
