< Proverbs 18 >
1 One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
Umuntu ongelamusa uzifunela okwakhe; uyazilahla zonke iziqondiso ezinhle.
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
Nxa kufika ububi kufika lokweyisa, njalo ihlazo liza lokudumazeka.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
Amazwi omlomo womuntu ayinziki yamanzi, kodwa umthombo wokuhlakanipha ngumfudlana ontuntuzayo.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
Kakukuhle ukulungisela ababi loba ukungehluleli kuhle abangelacala.
6 A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
Izindebe zesiwula zisilethela ingxabano, lomlomo waso unxusa ukutshaywa.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
Umlomo wesiwula yiwo osidilizayo, lezindebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
8 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Amazwi omuntu onyeyayo anjengezibiliboco; angena ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yomuntu.
9 Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
Lowo ovilaphayo emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo walowo odilizayo.
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
Ibizo likaThixo liyinqaba eqinileyo; abalungileyo babalekela kulo baphephe.
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
Inotho yezikhulu ingumuzi wazo ovikelweyo; zicabanga ukuthi imiduli yawo ayikhweleki.
12 Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Umuntu uyazikhukhumeza ngenhliziyo yakhe, mandulo kokuba awe, ikanti ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.
13 One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.
14 A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
Umphefumulo womuntu uyamqinisa nxa egula, kodwa ngubani ongaphila elomoya owephukileyo na?
15 The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
Inhliziyo yabaqedisisayo izuza ulwazi; indlebe zabahlakaniphileyo ziyakudinga.
16 A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
Isipho siyamvulela indlela ophayo azuze ithuba lokubonana labakhulu.
17 The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
Ecaleni okhuluma kuqala ubonakala enguye olungileyo, kuze kuqhamuke omunye ambuzisise.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
Ukwenza inkatho kuyakuqeda ukulwisana, kubehlukanise abaxabanayo.
19 An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
Umzalwane owonelweyo uba lukhuni kulomuzi ohonqolozelweyo, lezingxabano zinjengamasango enqaba avaliweyo.
20 From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
Isisu somuntu sigcwaliswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe; usuthiswa yisivuno sezindebe zakhe.
21 Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
Ulimi lulamandla okuphila lokufa, njalo labo abaluthandayo bazakudla izithelo zalo.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
Lowo ozuza umfazi ufumana okuhle, athole umusa kuThixo.
23 A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
Umyanga uyancenga ukuthi axolelwe, kodwa isinothi siphendula ngolaka.
24 The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.