UmTshumayeli 10
1 Njengoba impukane ezifele phakathi kwamakha ziwenza anuke kubi, kunjalo lobuwula obuncinyane bugabhela ukuhlakanipha lodumo.
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 Inhliziyo yolungileyo ikhungathekela ekulungeni, kodwa inhliziyo yesiwula ikhungathekela ebubini.
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 Loba ehamba nje emgwaqweni oyisiwula kalangqondo, utshengisa loba ngubani ubuphukuphuku bakhe.
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 Aluba umbusi ekuthukuthelela, ungasuki esikhundleni sakho; ukuthobeka kungathoba umonakalo obungaba khona.
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5 Bukhona ububi esengibubonile ngaphansi kwelanga, kuliphutha elenziwa ngumbusi:
There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 Iziwula ziphakanyiselwa ezikhundleni ezinengi eziphezulu, kodwa abanothileyo belezikhundla eziphansi.
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 Sengibone izichaka zigade amabhiza, kuthi amakhosana ahambe ngezinyawo njengezichaka.
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 Lowo ogebha umgodi angawela kuwo; odiliza umduli angalunywa yinyoka.
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Oqhekeza amatshe angalinyazwa yiwo; obanda inkuni angaba sengozini yazo.
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10 Lapho ihloka libuthundu ubukhali balo bungalolwanga, kudingeka amandla amanengi kodwa ubungcitshi buyaphumelelisa.
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 Nxa inyoka ihle ilume ingakalunjwa, umlumbi kaselanzuzo.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 Amazwi aphuma emlonyeni wesihlakaniphi amnandi, kodwa isiwula sichithwa yizindebe zaso.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 Ekuqaleni amazwi aso ayibuwula; ekucineni aseyikuwumana okubi
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14 njalo isiwula sanda ngamazwi. Kakho okwaziyo okuzayo ngubani ongamazisa okuzakwenzakala ngemva kwakhe na?
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 Umtshikatshika wesiwula uyasidinisa; kasiyazi indlela eya edolobheni.
The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 Maye kuwe, wena lizwe onkosi yalo yayiyisichaka, amakhosana akho azitika ngamadili ekuseni.
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Ubusisiwe wena, wena lizwe onkosi yalo izalwa esikhosini amakhosana alo adla ngezikhathi eziqondileyo edlela ukuqina hatshi ukudakwa.
Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.
18 Nxa indoda ilivila intungo ziyabhensa; nxa izandla zayo ziyekethisa indlu iyavuza.
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 Idili lenzelwa ukujabula, lewayini lenza impilo ibe mnandi, kodwa imali yiyo impendulo yakho konke.
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 Ungayithuki inkosi lasemicabangweni yakho, loba uqalekise abanothileyo loba usendlini yakho yokulala, ngoba mhlawumbe inyoni yasemoyeni ingawathwala amazwi akho, loba inyoni ephaphayo ingayabika okutshoyo.
Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.
