Izaga 18
1 Umuntu ongelamusa uzifunela okwakhe; uyazilahla zonke iziqondiso ezinhle.
THROUGH desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 Nxa kufika ububi kufika lokweyisa, njalo ihlazo liza lokudumazeka.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 Amazwi omlomo womuntu ayinziki yamanzi, kodwa umthombo wokuhlakanipha ngumfudlana ontuntuzayo.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 Kakukuhle ukulungisela ababi loba ukungehluleli kuhle abangelacala.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 Izindebe zesiwula zisilethela ingxabano, lomlomo waso unxusa ukutshaywa.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 Umlomo wesiwula yiwo osidilizayo, lezindebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Amazwi omuntu onyeyayo anjengezibiliboco; angena ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yomuntu.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Lowo ovilaphayo emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo walowo odilizayo.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to 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 into it, and is safe.
11 Inotho yezikhulu ingumuzi wazo ovikelweyo; zicabanga ukuthi imiduli yawo ayikhweleki.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Umuntu uyazikhukhumeza ngenhliziyo yakhe, mandulo kokuba awe, ikanti ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 Umphefumulo womuntu uyamqinisa nxa egula, kodwa ngubani ongaphila elomoya owephukileyo na?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Inhliziyo yabaqedisisayo izuza ulwazi; indlebe zabahlakaniphileyo ziyakudinga.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Isipho siyamvulela indlela ophayo azuze ithuba lokubonana labakhulu.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 Ecaleni okhuluma kuqala ubonakala enguye olungileyo, kuze kuqhamuke omunye ambuzisise.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 Ukwenza inkatho kuyakuqeda ukulwisana, kubehlukanise abaxabanayo.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 Umzalwane owonelweyo uba lukhuni kulomuzi ohonqolozelweyo, lezingxabano zinjengamasango enqaba avaliweyo.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 Isisu somuntu sigcwaliswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe; usuthiswa yisivuno sezindebe zakhe.
A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; 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 the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Lowo ozuza umfazi ufumana okuhle, athole umusa kuThixo.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
23 Umyanga uyancenga ukuthi axolelwe, kodwa isinothi siphendula ngolaka.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
