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 sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.
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 fools.
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 [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
Othumela amazwi ngesandla sesithutha, uquma inyawo, unatha isihluku.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
8 As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
9 [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.
Njengameva enyuka esandleni sesidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
10 [As] an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [so is] a fool that 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 sluggard 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 its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.
Isivalo siphenduka ngamabhanti aso, ngokunjalo ivila embhedeni walo.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth 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] vexeth himself 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 madman 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 For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he 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 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.
Inzondo isibekelwa ngenkohliso; ububi bakhe buzakwembulwa ebandleni.
27 Whoso 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 hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Ulimi lwamanga luzonda olubachobozayo, lomlomo obutshelezi usebenza incithakalo.
