Izaga 18
1 Umuntu ongelamusa uzifunela okwakhe; uyazilahla zonke iziqondiso ezinhle.
He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom.
2 Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Nxa kufika ububi kufika lokweyisa, njalo ihlazo liza lokudumazeka.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh reproach.
4 Amazwi omlomo womuntu ayinziki yamanzi, kodwa umthombo wokuhlakanipha ngumfudlana ontuntuzayo.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5 Kakukuhle ukulungisela ababi loba ukungehluleli kuhle abangelacala.
To accept the person of the wicked is not good, [nor] to turn aside 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 stripes.
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 whisperer are as dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Lowo ovilaphayo emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo walowo odilizayo.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
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 imagination.
12 Umuntu uyazikhukhumeza ngenhliziyo yakhe, mandulo kokuba awe, ikanti ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [goeth] humility.
13 Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, 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 broken 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 pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
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 [such] 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 filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
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 entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.
He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
