Izaga 21
1 Inhliziyo yenkosi isezandleni zikaThixo, uyiholela lapho athanda khona njengomsele wamanzi.
The king’s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Umuntu ubona kungathi zonke izindlela zakhe zilungile, kodwa uThixo uhlola inhliziyo.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 Ukwenza okulungileyo lokufaneleyo kuyathandeka kuThixo kulomhlatshelo.
To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Amehlo okuzikhukhumeza lenhliziyo ezigqajayo, okuyikho okukhokhela ababi, konke yizono!
An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
5 Amalungiselelo abakhutheleyo anika umvuzo njengoba nje amawala eletha ubuyanga.
The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.
6 Inotho ezuzwe ngendlela yamanga iyinkungu ememethekayo lomjibila wokufa.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 Ukuhlukuluza kwababi kuzabakhukhula, ngoba bayala ukwenza okulungileyo.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 Indlela yomuntu olecala iyathubezela, kodwa ukwenza kongelalo kuqondile.
The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
9 Kungcono ukuhlala ekhulusini lophahla lwendlu kulokuhlala ndlu yinye lomfazi olomlomo.
[It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 Umuntu omubi utshisekela ububi; kalasihawu ngomakhelwane wakhe.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 Nxa kujeziswa isideleli isithutha sizuza ukuhlakanipha; nxa ohlakaniphileyo eqondiswa uzuza ulwazi.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Olungileyo uyayinanzelela indlu yesigangi kuthi lesosigangi asibhubhise.
The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
13 Nxa umuntu egcika indlebe zakhe ukuze angezwa ukukhala kwabayanga, laye uzakuthi esekhala angalalelwa muntu.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 Isipho esiphiwa ensitha siyaludedisa ulaka, lesivalamlomo esifihlwe emajazini siyakudedisa ukuthukuthela.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 Ukwahlulela kuhle kuthokozisa olungileyo kodwa izigangi kuzitshayisa uvalo.
[It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
16 Umuntu ophambuka endleleni yokuzwisisa ucina esendawonye labafileyo.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 Lowo othanda ukuzithokozisa uzakuba ngumyanga; laloba ngubani othanda iwayini lezibondlo ngeke anothe.
He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 Ababi baba ngumhlawulelo wabalungileyo, labangathembekanga bangumhlawulelo wabaqotho.
The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 Kungcono ukuhlala enkangala kulokuhlala lomfazi olenkani lothethayo.
[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 Indlu yohlakaniphileyo igcwele amaqubaquba ezibiliboco lamafutha, kodwa umuntu oyisithutha udla aqede du konke alakho.
[There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 Lowo odinga ukulunga lothando uzuza ukuphila, ukuphumelela lodumo.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 Umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uhlasela umuzi wabalamandla adilizele phansi inqaba abayithembileyo.
A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Lowo oqaphela umlomo wakhe lolimi lwakhe uyaziphephisa ezingozini.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Umuntu ozigqajayo loyisiqholo ibizo lakhe ngu “Sideleli,” wenza izinto ngokuziqakisa okukhulu.
Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 Izinkanuko zevila yizo ezililimazayo, ngoba izandla zalo ziyala ukusebenza.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 Ilanga lonke litshona lifisa okungapheliyo, kodwa abalungileyo bayapha bengagodli.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 Umhlatshelo wababi uyisinengiso kambe mubi kangakanani nxa ulethwa ngenhliziyo embi.
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 Umfakazi wamanga uzabhubha, kuthi lowo omlalelayo uzabhujiswa lanini.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 Umuntu omubi utshengisa isibindi samanga, kodwa umuntu oqotho uyananzelela izenzo zakhe.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
30 Akulakuhlakanipha, akulambono, akulacebo okunganqoba uThixo.
[There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 Ibhiza liyalungiselelwa usuku lwempi, kodwa ukunqoba kulawulwa nguThixo.
The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.
