Izaga 13
1 Indodana ehlakaniphileyo iyemukela izeluleko zikayise, kodwa ihlongandlebe kalilaleli nxa likhuzwa.
A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 Umuntu uzuza okuhle ngamazwi omlomo wakhe, kodwa ababi batshisekela udlakela.
By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.
3 Lowo olinda izindebe zakhe ulinda impilo yakhe, kodwa lowo osuka abhede nje uyazibulala.
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 Ivila liyafisa kodwa lingazuzi lutho, kodwa izifiso zokhutheleyo ziyagcwaliseka.
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
5 Abalungileyo bayakuzonda okungamanga, kodwa izigangi ziletha ihlazo lesigcono.
A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
6 Ukulunga kuyamlinda umuntu oqotho, kodwa ububi buyamchitha oyisoni.
Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 Umuntu angazenza onothileyo, yena engelalutho, omunye azitshaye umyanga, kanti elenotho enengi.
There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
8 Inotho yomuntu ingahlenga impilo yakhe, kodwa umyanga uvele kasongelwa muntu.
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
9 Isibane sabalungileyo sikhanya sithi kla! Kodwa isibane sezigangi siyafiphala ngentuthu.
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Ukuziqakisa kukhokhelela engxabanweni, kodwa ukuhlakanipha kufunyanwa kwabemukela ukwelulekwa.
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.
11 Imali ezuzwe ngobuqili iyanyamalala, kodwa lowo oyizuza ngokuqogelela uyayandisa.
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
12 Ithemba eliphuzayo ligulisa inhliziyo, kodwa isifiso esigcwalisiweyo siyisihlahla sokuphila.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13 Lowo oweyisa izeluleko uzibizela ingozi, kodwa othobela umlayo uzaphiwa umvuzo.
Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 Imfundiso yabahlakaniphileyo ingumthombo wokuphila, iphephisa umuntu emijibileni yokufa.
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
15 Ukuzwisisa okuhle kuletha ukuthandeka, kodwa indlela yabakhohlisayo inzima.
Good understanding wins favour, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Wonke umuntu ohlakaniphileyo wenza konke ngolwazi, kodwa isiwula sitshengisa ubuthutha baso.
Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
17 Isithunywa esibi siwela phakathi kohlupho, kodwa isithunywa esithembekileyo siletha ukusila.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
18 Ongananzi ukuqondiswa wehlelwa yibuyanga lehlazo, kodwa onanza ukukhuzwa uyadunyiswa.
Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honoured.
19 Simnandi emphefumulweni isifiso singagcwaliseka, kodwa iziwula kazifuni ukutshiya ububi.
Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Ohamba lezihlakaniphi uyahlakanipha, kodwa othandana leziwula uwela engozini.
One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Umnyama ulandelana loyisoni, kodwa impumelelo ingumvuzo wabalungileyo.
Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
22 Umuntu olungileyo utshiyela izizukulwane sakhe ilifa, kodwa inotho yesoni ibekelwa abalungileyo.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
23 Insimu yomyanga ingathela ukudla okunengi, kodwa umona wabalamandla uyayikhukhula.
An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Lowo ongasebenzisi uswazi uyayizonda indodana yakhe, kodwa lowo oyithandayo unqinekela ukuyiqondisa.
One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 Olungileyo uyadla asuthe ntintinini, kodwa isisu somubi sihlala silambile.
The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
