Izaga 22
1 Ibizo elihle liyathandeka kulenotho enengi; ukuhlonitshwa kungcono kulesiliva kumbe igolide.
A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
2 Abanothileyo labayanga bayafanana ngalokhu: UThixo unguMenzi wabo bonke.
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
3 Umuntu olengqondo uthi ebona ingozi acatshe, kodwa isithutha siyaphikelela singena enkathazweni.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
4 Ukuzithoba lokwesaba uThixo kuletha inotho lodumo lokuphila.
The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Endleleni yababi kugcwele ameva lemjibila, kodwa onanzelela umphefumulo wakhe unqenqela khatshana.
Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
6 Fundisa umntwana indlela amele ahambe ngayo, kuzakuthi esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.
Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
7 Abanothileyo babusa abayanga, lalowo owebolekayo uyisichaka salowo omebolekayo.
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 Lowo ohlanyele ububi uvuna ukuhlupheka, njalo uswazi lolaka lwakhe luzakwephulwa.
Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
9 Umuntu ophanayo uzabusiswa, ngoba wabela abayanga ukudla kwakhe.
If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
10 Xotsha isideleli, lenkani ihle iphume; ukuxabana lokuthukana kuyaphela.
Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
11 Othanda inhliziyo ehlanzekileyo, onkulumo yakhe ipholile uzakuba ngumngane wombusi.
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
12 Amehlo kaThixo ayaluvikela ulwazi kodwa uyawadiliza amazwi abangathembekanga.
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
13 Ivilavoxo lithi, “Kulesilwane phandle! Ngizabulawa ezindleleni!”
Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
14 Umlomo wesifebekazi unjengomgodi otshonayo; lowo othukwe nguThixo uzawobokela kuwo.
The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
15 Ubuwula bugxilile enhliziyweni yomntwana, kodwa uswazi lokuqondisa luzabuxotshela khatshana.
Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
16 Lowo oncindezela abayanga ukuze anothe ngabo, lalowo oncenga abanothileyo ngezipho, bonke bacina sebengabayanga.
If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
17 Lalela uzwe amazwi ezihlakaniphi; nikela inhliziyo yakho ezifundweni zami,
Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
18 ngoba kuyathokozisa nxa uzigcina enhliziyweni yakho, uzitsho kalula ngezindebe zakho.
for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
19 Ukuze ithemba lakho lihlale kuThixo, yikho ngikufundisa lamuhla wena ngokwakho.
I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
20 Kangikulobelanga yini izitsho ezingamatshumi amathathu, izitsho zokweluleka lolwazi,
Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
21 ezikufundisa amazwi eqiniso athembekileyo, ukuze ukwazi ukupha impendulo ezilesisindo kulowo okuthumileyo na?
They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
22 Ungagegeleli abayanga ngoba bengabayanga njalo ungaphoseli abaswelayo entolongweni,
For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
23 ngoba uThixo uzakuba ngumeli wabo abahlukuluze labo ababahlukuluzayo.
for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
24 Ungabi ngumngane womuntu ololaka, ungahambi lomuntu ozonda masinyane,
Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
25 funa ufunde izindlela zakhe uzingenise emjibileni.
in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
26 Ungabi ngumuntu ophanga ukwenza izithembiso kumbe onika isibambiso ngezikwelede;
Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
27 ungayiswela inhlawulo uzakwemukwa noma ngumbheda wakho olala kuwo.
for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
28 Ungasusi ilitshe lakudala elomngcele elabekwa ngokhokho bakho.
Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
29 Uyambona umuntu oyingcitshi emsebenzini wakhe na? Uzasebenzela amakhosi; akayikusebenzela abantukazana.
If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
