Izaga 12
1 Othanda ukuqondiswa uthanda ulwazi, kodwa ozonda ukukhuzwa uyisithutha.
Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
2 Umuntu olungileyo uthola umusa kuThixo, kodwa uThixo uyamlahla owakha amacebo amabi.
The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
3 Umuntu angazake amiswe yibubi, kodwa olungileyo angeke aquphuke.
A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
4 Umfazi olesimilo ungumqhele womkakhe, kodwa umfazi oyangisayo unjengokubola kwamathambo akhe.
A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.
5 Izimiso zabalungileyo ziqondile, kodwa izeluleko zababi ziyinkohliso.
The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked — deceit.
6 Amazwi ababi alindele ukuchitha igazi, kodwa inkulumo yabalungileyo iyabakhulula.
The words of the wicked [are]: 'Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.
7 Abantu ababi bayachithwa bangabe besaba khona, kodwa indlu yolungileyo imi izinzile.
Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
8 Umuntu udunyiswa ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe, kodwa abantu abalengqondo ezimbi bayeyiswa.
According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.
9 Kungcono ukungabi ngubani kodwa ulesisebenzi, kulokuzitshaya ulutho kodwa uswela lokudla.
Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
10 Umuntu olungileyo uyayinanzelela imfuyo yakhe kodwa okuhle komuntu omubi yilunya.
The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
11 Lowo osebenza nzima emasimini akhe uzathola ukudla okunengi, kodwa lowo ophika ngezifiso eziyize akalangqondo.
Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
12 Ababi bahawukela impango yezigangi, kodwa impande yabalungileyo imi iqinile.
The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
13 Umuntu omubi uthiyeka ngenkulumo yakhe yesono, kodwa umuntu olungileyo uyaphepha enkathazweni.
In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
14 Umuntu uzuza okuhle ngamazwi omlomo wakhe, umsebenzi wezandla zakhe umnika inzuzo.
From the fruit of the mouth [is] one satisfied [with] good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
15 Indlela yesiwula ikhanya iqondile kuso, kodwa umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uyalalela izeluleko.
The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel [is] wise.
16 Isiwula siyaphangisa ukuthukuthela, kodwa umuntu olengqondo kananzi loba ethukwa.
The fool — in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
17 Umfakazi oleqiniso upha ubufakazi obuqondileyo, kodwa umfakazi ongathembekanga ukhuluma amanga.
Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness — deceit.
18 Amazwi okubhuda agwaza njengenkemba, kodwa ulimi lohlakaniphileyo luyelapha.
A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 Izindebe zeqiniso zimi lanini, kodwa ulimi olulamanga luma umzuzwana nje.
The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment — a tongue of falsehood.
20 Inhliziyo zabaceba ububi zigcwele inkohliso, kodwa kulokuthokoza kwabaletha ukuthula.
Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace [is] joy.
21 Akukho ngozi ewela abalungileyo, kodwa izigangi zikhulelwa zinhlupho.
No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
22 UThixo uyazenyanya izindlela ezilamanga, kodwa uyathokoza ngabantu abaleqiniso.
An abomination to Jehovah [are] lying lips, And stedfast doers [are] his delight.
23 Umuntu olengqondo kazitshengiseli ulwazi lwakhe, kodwa iziwula ziyabutshengisela ubuthutha bazo.
A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
24 Izandla ezikhutheleyo zizaletha inhlalakahle, kodwa ubuvila budonsela ekugqilazweni.
The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
25 Inhliziyo ekhathazekileyo iyamcakisa umuntu, kodwa ilizwi elilomusa liyamthokozisa.
Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
26 Umuntu olungileyo ukhetha abangane ngonanzelelo, kodwa indlela yababi iyabaphumputhekisa.
The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27 Umzingeli olivila kazuzi nyama yokosa, kodwa umuntu okhutheleyo uyazibula ngenotho yakhe.
The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
28 Endleleni yokulunga kulokuphila, kuleyondlela kulokuphila okungapheliyo.
In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [is] no death!
