UmTshumayeli 10
1 Njengoba impukane ezifele phakathi kwamakha ziwenza anuke kubi, kunjalo lobuwula obuncinyane bugabhela ukuhlakanipha lodumo.
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
2 Inhliziyo yolungileyo ikhungathekela ekulungeni, kodwa inhliziyo yesiwula ikhungathekela ebubini.
The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Loba ehamba nje emgwaqweni oyisiwula kalangqondo, utshengisa loba ngubani ubuphukuphuku bakhe.
Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
4 Aluba umbusi ekuthukuthelela, ungasuki esikhundleni sakho; ukuthobeka kungathoba umonakalo obungaba khona.
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.
5 Bukhona ububi esengibubonile ngaphansi kwelanga, kuliphutha elenziwa ngumbusi:
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
6 Iziwula ziphakanyiselwa ezikhundleni ezinengi eziphezulu, kodwa abanothileyo belezikhundla eziphansi.
folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
7 Sengibone izichaka zigade amabhiza, kuthi amakhosana ahambe ngezinyawo njengezichaka.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8 Lowo ogebha umgodi angawela kuwo; odiliza umduli angalunywa yinyoka.
He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
9 Oqhekeza amatshe angalinyazwa yiwo; obanda inkuni angaba sengozini yazo.
Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
10 Lapho ihloka libuthundu ubukhali balo bungalolwanga, kudingeka amandla amanengi kodwa ubungcitshi buyaphumelelisa.
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
11 Nxa inyoka ihle ilume ingakalunjwa, umlumbi kaselanzuzo.
If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
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 swallow up himself.
13 Ekuqaleni amazwi aso ayibuwula; ekucineni aseyikuwumana okubi
The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 njalo isiwula sanda ngamazwi. Kakho okwaziyo okuzayo ngubani ongamazisa okuzakwenzakala ngemva kwakhe na?
And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?
15 Umtshikatshika wesiwula uyasidinisa; kasiyazi indlela eya edolobheni.
The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
16 Maye kuwe, wena lizwe onkosi yalo yayiyisichaka, amakhosana akho azitika ngamadili ekuseni.
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17 Ubusisiwe wena, wena lizwe onkosi yalo izalwa esikhosini amakhosana alo adla ngezikhathi eziqondileyo edlela ukuqina hatshi ukudakwa.
Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Nxa indoda ilivila intungo ziyabhensa; nxa izandla zayo ziyekethisa indlu iyavuza.
By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.
19 Idili lenzelwa ukujabula, lewayini lenza impilo ibe mnandi, kodwa imali yiyo impendulo yakho konke.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth 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.
Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
