Izaga 18
1 Umuntu ongelamusa uzifunela okwakhe; uyazilahla zonke iziqondiso ezinhle.
For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.
2 Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.
A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.
3 Nxa kufika ububi kufika lokweyisa, njalo ihlazo liza lokudumazeka.
When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.
4 Amazwi omlomo womuntu ayinziki yamanzi, kodwa umthombo wokuhlakanipha ngumfudlana ontuntuzayo.
The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
5 Kakukuhle ukulungisela ababi loba ukungehluleli kuhle abangelacala.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
6 Izindebe zesiwula zisilethela ingxabano, lomlomo waso unxusa ukutshaywa.
A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 Umlomo wesiwula yiwo osidilizayo, lezindebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.
8 Amazwi omuntu onyeyayo anjengezibiliboco; angena ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yomuntu.
The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
9 Lowo ovilaphayo emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo walowo odilizayo.
He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
10 Ibizo likaThixo liyinqaba eqinileyo; abalungileyo babalekela kulo baphephe.
The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted.
11 Inotho yezikhulu ingumuzi wazo ovikelweyo; zicabanga ukuthi imiduli yawo ayikhweleki.
The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.
12 Umuntu uyazikhukhumeza ngenhliziyo yakhe, mandulo kokuba awe, ikanti ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.
Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.
13 Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.
He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him.
14 Umphefumulo womuntu uyamqinisa nxa egula, kodwa ngubani ongaphila elomoya owephukileyo na?
The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?
15 Inhliziyo yabaqedisisayo izuza ulwazi; indlebe zabahlakaniphileyo ziyakudinga.
A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.
16 Isipho siyamvulela indlela ophayo azuze ithuba lokubonana labakhulu.
A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
17 Ecaleni okhuluma kuqala ubonakala enguye olungileyo, kuze kuqhamuke omunye ambuzisise.
He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.
18 Ukwenza inkatho kuyakuqeda ukulwisana, kubehlukanise abaxabanayo.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.
19 Umzalwane owonelweyo uba lukhuni kulomuzi ohonqolozelweyo, lezingxabano zinjengamasango enqaba avaliweyo.
A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.
20 Isisu somuntu sigcwaliswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe; usuthiswa yisivuno sezindebe zakhe.
With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Ulimi lulamandla okuphila lokufa, njalo labo abaluthandayo bazakudla izithelo zalo.
Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.
22 Lowo ozuza umfazi ufumana okuhle, athole umusa kuThixo.
He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.
23 Umyanga uyancenga ukuthi axolelwe, kodwa isinothi siphendula ngolaka.
The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.
A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.
