Izaga 18
1 Umuntu ongelamusa uzifunela okwakhe; uyazilahla zonke iziqondiso ezinhle.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Nxa kufika ububi kufika lokweyisa, njalo ihlazo liza lokudumazeka.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 Amazwi omlomo womuntu ayinziki yamanzi, kodwa umthombo wokuhlakanipha ngumfudlana ontuntuzayo.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Kakukuhle ukulungisela ababi loba ukungehluleli kuhle abangelacala.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Izindebe zesiwula zisilethela ingxabano, lomlomo waso unxusa ukutshaywa.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Umlomo wesiwula yiwo osidilizayo, lezindebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 Amazwi omuntu onyeyayo anjengezibiliboco; angena ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yomuntu.
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Lowo ovilaphayo emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo walowo odilizayo.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 Ibizo likaThixo liyinqaba eqinileyo; abalungileyo babalekela kulo baphephe.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 Inotho yezikhulu ingumuzi wazo ovikelweyo; zicabanga ukuthi imiduli yawo ayikhweleki.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Umuntu uyazikhukhumeza ngenhliziyo yakhe, mandulo kokuba awe, ikanti ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 Umphefumulo womuntu uyamqinisa nxa egula, kodwa ngubani ongaphila elomoya owephukileyo na?
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Inhliziyo yabaqedisisayo izuza ulwazi; indlebe zabahlakaniphileyo ziyakudinga.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Isipho siyamvulela indlela ophayo azuze ithuba lokubonana labakhulu.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 Ecaleni okhuluma kuqala ubonakala enguye olungileyo, kuze kuqhamuke omunye ambuzisise.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Ukwenza inkatho kuyakuqeda ukulwisana, kubehlukanise abaxabanayo.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 Umzalwane owonelweyo uba lukhuni kulomuzi ohonqolozelweyo, lezingxabano zinjengamasango enqaba avaliweyo.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 Isisu somuntu sigcwaliswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe; usuthiswa yisivuno sezindebe zakhe.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Ulimi lulamandla okuphila lokufa, njalo labo abaluthandayo bazakudla izithelo zalo.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Lowo ozuza umfazi ufumana okuhle, athole umusa kuThixo.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Umyanga uyancenga ukuthi axolelwe, kodwa isinothi siphendula ngolaka.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
