Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
Njengeliqhwa elikhithikileyo ehlobo lanjengezulu ngesikhathi sokuvuna, ngokunjalo udumo kalusifanelanga isithutha.
2 As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause 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 back of the fool.
Isiswepu ngesebhiza, itomu ngelikababhemi, loswazi ngolomhlana wezithutha.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
Othumela amazwi ngesandla sesithutha, uquma inyawo, unatha isihluku.
7 The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
8 As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
9 As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Njengameva enyuka esandleni sesidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
10 As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
11 As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth 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; There is a lion in the streets.”
Olivila uthi: Kulesilwane endleleni; isilwane sisezitaladeni.
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
Isivalo siphenduka ngamabhanti aso, ngokunjalo ivila embhedeni walo.
15 The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; 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 who can render a reason.
Ivila lihlakaniphile emehlweni alo okwedlula abayisikhombisa abangaphendula ngenhlakanipho.
17 As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
Odlulayo engenela ingxabano engeyisiyo eyakhe ungobamba indlebe zenja.
18 As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
Njengohlanya oluphosa izikhuni ezivuthayo, imitshoko, lokufa,
19 So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
unjalo umuntu okhohlisa umakhelwane wakhe, abesesithi: Kangisomi yini?
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
21 As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
22 The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
23 As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
24 The hater 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 His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
Inzondo isibekelwa ngenkohliso; ububi bakhe buzakwembulwa ebandleni.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Ogebhayo umgodi uzawela kuwo, logiqa ilitshe, lizabuyela kuye.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Ulimi lwamanga luzonda olubachobozayo, lomlomo obutshelezi usebenza incithakalo.
