Izaga 22
1 Ibizo elihle liyathandeka kulenotho enengi; ukuhlonitshwa kungcono kulesiliva kumbe igolide.
A good name is better than many riches. And good esteem is above silver and gold.
2 Abanothileyo labayanga bayafanana ngalokhu: UThixo unguMenzi wabo bonke.
The rich and poor have met one another. The Lord is the maker of them both.
3 Umuntu olengqondo uthi ebona ingozi acatshe, kodwa isithutha siyaphikelela singena enkathazweni.
The clever saw evil and hid himself. The innocent continued on and was afflicted with damage.
4 Ukuzithoba lokwesaba uThixo kuletha inotho lodumo lokuphila.
The end of moderation is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
5 Endleleni yababi kugcwele ameva lemjibila, kodwa onanzelela umphefumulo wakhe unqenqela khatshana.
Weapons and swords are on the way of the perverse. But he who guards his own soul withdraws far from them.
6 Fundisa umntwana indlela amele ahambe ngayo, kuzakuthi esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.
The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.
7 Abanothileyo babusa abayanga, lalowo owebolekayo uyisichaka salowo omebolekayo.
The rich rule over the poor. And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Lowo ohlanyele ububi uvuna ukuhlupheka, njalo uswazi lolaka lwakhe luzakwephulwa.
Whoever sows iniquity will reap evils, and by the rod of his own wrath he will be consumed.
9 Umuntu ophanayo uzabusiswa, ngoba wabela abayanga ukudla kwakhe.
Whoever is inclined to mercy shall be blessed, for from his bread he has given to the poor. Whoever gives gifts will acquire victory and honor. But he carries away the soul of the receiver.
10 Xotsha isideleli, lenkani ihle iphume; ukuxabana lokuthukana kuyaphela.
Cast out the one who ridicules, and conflict will go out with him, and accusations and insults will cease.
11 Othanda inhliziyo ehlanzekileyo, onkulumo yakhe ipholile uzakuba ngumngane wombusi.
Whoever loves cleanness of heart, because of the grace of his lips, will have the king as his friend.
12 Amehlo kaThixo ayaluvikela ulwazi kodwa uyawadiliza amazwi abangathembekanga.
The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge. And the words of the iniquitous are supplanted.
13 Ivilavoxo lithi, “Kulesilwane phandle! Ngizabulawa ezindleleni!”
The lazy one says: “There is a lion outside. I might be slain in the midst of the streets.”
14 Umlomo wesifebekazi unjengomgodi otshonayo; lowo othukwe nguThixo uzawobokela kuwo.
The mouth of a foreign woman is a deep pit; the Lord was angry with him who will fall into it.
15 Ubuwula bugxilile enhliziyweni yomntwana, kodwa uswazi lokuqondisa luzabuxotshela khatshana.
Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.
16 Lowo oncindezela abayanga ukuze anothe ngabo, lalowo oncenga abanothileyo ngezipho, bonke bacina sebengabayanga.
Whoever slanders the poor, so as to augment his own riches, will give it away to one who is richer, and will be in need.
17 Lalela uzwe amazwi ezihlakaniphi; nikela inhliziyo yakho ezifundweni zami,
Incline your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Then apply your heart to my doctrine.
18 ngoba kuyathokozisa nxa uzigcina enhliziyweni yakho, uzitsho kalula ngezindebe zakho.
It shall be beautiful to you, if you preserve it in your inner self, and it shall overflow from your lips,
19 Ukuze ithemba lakho lihlale kuThixo, yikho ngikufundisa lamuhla wena ngokwakho.
so that your confidence may be in the Lord. Therefore, I also have revealed it to you this day.
20 Kangikulobelanga yini izitsho ezingamatshumi amathathu, izitsho zokweluleka lolwazi,
Behold, I have written it for you in three ways, and with meditations and knowledge,
21 ezikufundisa amazwi eqiniso athembekileyo, ukuze ukwazi ukupha impendulo ezilesisindo kulowo okuthumileyo na?
so that I might reveal to you, firmly and with words of truth, in order to respond about these things to those who sent you.
22 Ungagegeleli abayanga ngoba bengabayanga njalo ungaphoseli abaswelayo entolongweni,
Do not act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy at the gate.
23 ngoba uThixo uzakuba ngumeli wabo abahlukuluze labo ababahlukuluzayo.
For the Lord will judge his case, and he will pierce those who have pierced his soul.
24 Ungabi ngumngane womuntu ololaka, ungahambi lomuntu ozonda masinyane,
Do not be willing to be a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man,
25 funa ufunde izindlela zakhe uzingenise emjibileni.
lest perhaps you learn his ways, and take up a stumbling block to your soul.
26 Ungabi ngumuntu ophanga ukwenza izithembiso kumbe onika isibambiso ngezikwelede;
Do not be willing to be with those who certify with their hands, and who offer themselves as a guarantee against debts.
27 ungayiswela inhlawulo uzakwemukwa noma ngumbheda wakho olala kuwo.
For if you do not have the means to restore, what reason should there be for him to take the covering from your bed?
28 Ungasusi ilitshe lakudala elomngcele elabekwa ngokhokho bakho.
Do not cross beyond the ancient limits that your fathers have set.
29 Uyambona umuntu oyingcitshi emsebenzini wakhe na? Uzasebenzela amakhosi; akayikusebenzela abantukazana.
Have you seen a man swift in his work? He shall stand in the sight of kings, and not before those who are disreputable.
