Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Inhlakanipho enkulu yakhe indlu yayo, ibaze insika zayo eziyisikhombisa.
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
Ihlabe okuhlatshwayo kwayo, ixubanise iwayini layo, futhi yalungisa itafula layo.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Ithume incekukazi zayo, iyamemeza engqongeni zendawo eziphakemeyo zomuzi zisithi:
4 Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Loba ngubani ongelalwazi? Kaphendukele lapha; oswele ingqondo, ithi kuye:
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.
Wozani, lidle okwesinkwa sami, linathe okwewayini engilixubanisileyo.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Yekelani abangelalwazi liphile, lihambe ngokuqonda ngendlela yokuqedisisa.
7 He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.
Osola isiklolodi uzizuzela ihlazo, lokhuza okhohlakeleyo uzizuzela isici.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Ungasoli isiklolodi, hlezi sikuzonde; sola ohlakaniphileyo, njalo uzakuthanda.
9 Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.
Nika ohlakaniphileyo, njalo uzakuba lokhu ehlakanipha; fundisa olungileyo, njalo uzakwandisa ukufunda.
10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Ukuyesaba iNkosi kuyikuqala kwenhlakanipho, lolwazi lwabangcwele luyikuqedisisa.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Ngoba ngami insuku zakho zizakwandiswa, leminyaka yempilo yengezelelwe kuwe.
12 If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].
Uba uhlakaniphile, uzakuba uzihlakaniphele; uba ukloloda, uzakuthwala wedwa.
13 A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
Owesifazana oyisithutha ulomsindo, kalangqondo, kazi lutho.
14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
Ngoba uhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni, endaweni eziphakemeyo zomuzi,
15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
ukubiza abadlulayo ngendlela, abahamba beqondile emikhondweni yabo, esithi:
16 Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Loba ngubani ongelalwazi? Kaphendukele lapha; loswele ingqondo, uthi kuye:
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
Amanzi ebiweyo amnandi, lesinkwa sensitha siyahlabusa.
