Izaga 22
1 Ibizo elihle liyathandeka kulenotho enengi; ukuhlonitshwa kungcono kulesiliva kumbe igolide.
A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
2 Abanothileyo labayanga bayafanana ngalokhu: UThixo unguMenzi wabo bonke.
The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 Umuntu olengqondo uthi ebona ingozi acatshe, kodwa isithutha siyaphikelela singena enkathazweni.
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
4 Ukuzithoba lokwesaba uThixo kuletha inotho lodumo lokuphila.
The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
5 Endleleni yababi kugcwele ameva lemjibila, kodwa onanzelela umphefumulo wakhe unqenqela khatshana.
Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
6 Fundisa umntwana indlela amele ahambe ngayo, kuzakuthi esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.
If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
7 Abanothileyo babusa abayanga, lalowo owebolekayo uyisichaka salowo omebolekayo.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
8 Lowo ohlanyele ububi uvuna ukuhlupheka, njalo uswazi lolaka lwakhe luzakwephulwa.
By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
9 Umuntu ophanayo uzabusiswa, ngoba wabela abayanga ukudla kwakhe.
He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Xotsha isideleli, lenkani ihle iphume; ukuxabana lokuthukana kuyaphela.
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
11 Othanda inhliziyo ehlanzekileyo, onkulumo yakhe ipholile uzakuba ngumngane wombusi.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 Amehlo kaThixo ayaluvikela ulwazi kodwa uyawadiliza amazwi abangathembekanga.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
13 Ivilavoxo lithi, “Kulesilwane phandle! Ngizabulawa ezindleleni!”
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
14 Umlomo wesifebekazi unjengomgodi otshonayo; lowo othukwe nguThixo uzawobokela kuwo.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
15 Ubuwula bugxilile enhliziyweni yomntwana, kodwa uswazi lokuqondisa luzabuxotshela khatshana.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
16 Lowo oncindezela abayanga ukuze anothe ngabo, lalowo oncenga abanothileyo ngezipho, bonke bacina sebengabayanga.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
17 Lalela uzwe amazwi ezihlakaniphi; nikela inhliziyo yakho ezifundweni zami,
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
18 ngoba kuyathokozisa nxa uzigcina enhliziyweni yakho, uzitsho kalula ngezindebe zakho.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
19 Ukuze ithemba lakho lihlale kuThixo, yikho ngikufundisa lamuhla wena ngokwakho.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
20 Kangikulobelanga yini izitsho ezingamatshumi amathathu, izitsho zokweluleka lolwazi,
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
21 ezikufundisa amazwi eqiniso athembekileyo, ukuze ukwazi ukupha impendulo ezilesisindo kulowo okuthumileyo na?
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
22 Ungagegeleli abayanga ngoba bengabayanga njalo ungaphoseli abaswelayo entolongweni,
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
23 ngoba uThixo uzakuba ngumeli wabo abahlukuluze labo ababahlukuluzayo.
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
24 Ungabi ngumngane womuntu ololaka, ungahambi lomuntu ozonda masinyane,
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
25 funa ufunde izindlela zakhe uzingenise emjibileni.
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
26 Ungabi ngumuntu ophanga ukwenza izithembiso kumbe onika isibambiso ngezikwelede;
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
27 ungayiswela inhlawulo uzakwemukwa noma ngumbheda wakho olala kuwo.
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
28 Ungasusi ilitshe lakudala elomngcele elabekwa ngokhokho bakho.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
29 Uyambona umuntu oyingcitshi emsebenzini wakhe na? Uzasebenzela amakhosi; akayikusebenzela abantukazana.
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
