Izaga 12
1 Othanda ukuqondiswa uthanda ulwazi, kodwa ozonda ukukhuzwa uyisithutha.
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 Umuntu olungileyo uthola umusa kuThixo, kodwa uThixo uyamlahla owakha amacebo amabi.
A good man shall obtain favour from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
3 Umuntu angazake amiswe yibubi, kodwa olungileyo angeke aquphuke.
A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 Umfazi olesimilo ungumqhele womkakhe, kodwa umfazi oyangisayo unjengokubola kwamathambo akhe.
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
5 Izimiso zabalungileyo ziqondile, kodwa izeluleko zababi ziyinkohliso.
The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 Amazwi ababi alindele ukuchitha igazi, kodwa inkulumo yabalungileyo iyabakhulula.
The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Abantu ababi bayachithwa bangabe besaba khona, kodwa indlu yolungileyo imi izinzile.
The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 Umuntu udunyiswa ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe, kodwa abantu abalengqondo ezimbi bayeyiswa.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
9 Kungcono ukungabi ngubani kodwa ulesisebenzi, kulokuzitshaya ulutho kodwa uswela lokudla.
Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honours himself and lacks bread.
10 Umuntu olungileyo uyayinanzelela imfuyo yakhe kodwa okuhle komuntu omubi yilunya.
A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 Lowo osebenza nzima emasimini akhe uzathola ukudla okunengi, kodwa lowo ophika ngezifiso eziyize akalangqondo.
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12 Ababi bahawukela impango yezigangi, kodwa impande yabalungileyo imi iqinile.
The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 Umuntu omubi uthiyeka ngenkulumo yakhe yesono, kodwa umuntu olungileyo uyaphepha enkathazweni.
An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14 Umuntu uzuza okuhle ngamazwi omlomo wakhe, umsebenzi wezandla zakhe umnika inzuzo.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
15 Indlela yesiwula ikhanya iqondile kuso, kodwa umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uyalalela izeluleko.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16 Isiwula siyaphangisa ukuthukuthela, kodwa umuntu olengqondo kananzi loba ethukwa.
A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17 Umfakazi oleqiniso upha ubufakazi obuqondileyo, kodwa umfakazi ongathembekanga ukhuluma amanga.
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18 Amazwi okubhuda agwaza njengenkemba, kodwa ulimi lohlakaniphileyo luyelapha.
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19 Izindebe zeqiniso zimi lanini, kodwa ulimi olulamanga luma umzuzwana nje.
Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20 Inhliziyo zabaceba ububi zigcwele inkohliso, kodwa kulokuthokoza kwabaletha ukuthula.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 Akukho ngozi ewela abalungileyo, kodwa izigangi zikhulelwa zinhlupho.
No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 UThixo uyazenyanya izindlela ezilamanga, kodwa uyathokoza ngabantu abaleqiniso.
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.
23 Umuntu olengqondo kazitshengiseli ulwazi lwakhe, kodwa iziwula ziyabutshengisela ubuthutha bazo.
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24 Izandla ezikhutheleyo zizaletha inhlalakahle, kodwa ubuvila budonsela ekugqilazweni.
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labour.
25 Inhliziyo ekhathazekileyo iyamcakisa umuntu, kodwa ilizwi elilomusa liyamthokozisa.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
26 Umuntu olungileyo ukhetha abangane ngonanzelelo, kodwa indlela yababi iyabaphumputhekisa.
A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Umzingeli olivila kazuzi nyama yokosa, kodwa umuntu okhutheleyo uyazibula ngenotho yakhe.
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28 Endleleni yokulunga kulokuphila, kuleyondlela kulokuphila okungapheliyo.
In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
