UmTshumayeli 4
1 Ngakhangela njalo ngabona konke ukuncindezelwa okwakukhona ngaphansi kwelanga: Ngabona inyembezi zabancindezelwayo babengelabaduduzi; amandla ayekulaba abancindezelayo abalaye umduduzi.
I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2 Ngangifakaza ukuthi abafileyo, abavele sebefile, bayathokoza kulabaphilayo, abalokhu besaphila.
And I praised the dead rather than the living:
3 Kodwa okungcono kulakho kokubili ngulowo ongakabikhona, ongakaboni ububi obenziwayo ngaphansi kwelanga.
And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4 Ngasengibona ukuthi konke ukusebenza lokuphumelela konke kuvela emhawini womuntu ngomakhelwane wakhe. Lokhu lakho kuyize, kuyikuxotshana lomoya.
Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
5 Isiwula sigoqa izandla zaso sidilize impilo yaso.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6 Kungcono isandla esisodwa esigcweleyo silokuthula kulezandla ezimbili ezingagcwalanga ezilomtshikatshika lokuxotshana lomoya.
Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
7 Njalo ngabona okunye okuyize ngaphansi kwelanga:
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
8 Kwakulendoda eyayiyodwa zwi; yayingelandodana loba umfowabo. Yayisebenza gadalala ingaphumuli, kodwa amehlo ayo ayengasuthiswa yinotho yayo. Yabuza yathi, “Ngiginqela bani kangaka, njalo kungani ngizincitsha intokozo?” Lokhu lakho kuyize umsebenzi othelela usizi!
There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9 Ababili bangcono kuloyedwa, ngoba balomvuzo obonakalayo ngomsebenzi wabo.
It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
10 Omunye angawa, umngane wakhe uyamncedisa amvuse. Kodwa maye lowomuntu owayo kungelamuntu ongamsiza amvuse!
If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11 Njalo nxa ababili belala ndawonye bazakhudumezana. Kanti umuntu angakhudumala kanjani eyedwa na?
And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12 Loba umuntu engehlulwa nxa eyedwa, ababili bangazivikela. Intambo elemicu emithathu kayiqamuki lula.
And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13 Lingcono ijaha elingumyanga kodwa lihlakaniphile kulenkosi endala eyisiwula eyalayo ukwamukela izixwayiso.
Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14 Ijaha lelo kungabe ngeliphuma ejele libe yinkosi, loba lingelazalelwa ebuyangeni elizweni lalowombuso.
Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15 Ngabona ukuthi bonke ababephila behamba ngaphansi kwelanga balilandela lelojaha elathatha isikhundla sobukhosi.
I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
16 Amakhosi la (endala lencinyane) kungabe ayelodumo elandelwa ngabantu abanengi abangelakubalwa. Kodwa izizukulwane ezilandelayo azimthandanga lowo owathatha ubukhosi. Lokhu lakho kuyize, yikuxotshana lomoya.
The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
