Izaga 22
1 Ibizo elihle liyathandeka kulenotho enengi; ukuhlonitshwa kungcono kulesiliva kumbe igolide.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; And better is good-will than silver and gold.
2 Abanothileyo labayanga bayafanana ngalokhu: UThixo unguMenzi wabo bonke.
The rich and the poor meet together; The LORD is the Maker of them all.
3 Umuntu olengqondo uthi ebona ingozi acatshe, kodwa isithutha siyaphikelela singena enkathazweni.
The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.
4 Ukuzithoba lokwesaba uThixo kuletha inotho lodumo lokuphila.
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.
5 Endleleni yababi kugcwele ameva lemjibila, kodwa onanzelela umphefumulo wakhe unqenqela khatshana.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be far from them.
6 Fundisa umntwana indlela amele ahambe ngayo, kuzakuthi esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.
Train up a child in accordance with his way, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Abanothileyo babusa abayanga, lalowo owebolekayo uyisichaka salowo omebolekayo.
The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Lowo ohlanyele ububi uvuna ukuhlupheka, njalo uswazi lolaka lwakhe luzakwephulwa.
He who soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.
9 Umuntu ophanayo uzabusiswa, ngoba wabela abayanga ukudla kwakhe.
He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Xotsha isideleli, lenkani ihle iphume; ukuxabana lokuthukana kuyaphela.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.
11 Othanda inhliziyo ehlanzekileyo, onkulumo yakhe ipholile uzakuba ngumngane wombusi.
He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.
12 Amehlo kaThixo ayaluvikela ulwazi kodwa uyawadiliza amazwi abangathembekanga.
The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
13 Ivilavoxo lithi, “Kulesilwane phandle! Ngizabulawa ezindleleni!”
The slothful man saith, “There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.”
14 Umlomo wesifebekazi unjengomgodi otshonayo; lowo othukwe nguThixo uzawobokela kuwo.
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.
15 Ubuwula bugxilile enhliziyweni yomntwana, kodwa uswazi lokuqondisa luzabuxotshela khatshana.
Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16 Lowo oncindezela abayanga ukuze anothe ngabo, lalowo oncenga abanothileyo ngezipho, bonke bacina sebengabayanga.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 Lalela uzwe amazwi ezihlakaniphi; nikela inhliziyo yakho ezifundweni zami,
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And give heed to my instruction!
18 ngoba kuyathokozisa nxa uzigcina enhliziyweni yakho, uzitsho kalula ngezindebe zakho.
For it will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon thy lips.
19 Ukuze ithemba lakho lihlale kuThixo, yikho ngikufundisa lamuhla wena ngokwakho.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.
20 Kangikulobelanga yini izitsho ezingamatshumi amathathu, izitsho zokweluleka lolwazi,
Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning counsel and knowledge;
21 ezikufundisa amazwi eqiniso athembekileyo, ukuze ukwazi ukupha impendulo ezilesisindo kulowo okuthumileyo na?
That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send thee.
22 Ungagegeleli abayanga ngoba bengabayanga njalo ungaphoseli abaswelayo entolongweni,
Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;
23 ngoba uThixo uzakuba ngumeli wabo abahlukuluze labo ababahlukuluzayo.
For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.
24 Ungabi ngumngane womuntu ololaka, ungahambi lomuntu ozonda masinyane,
Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;
25 funa ufunde izindlela zakhe uzingenise emjibileni.
Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself a snare.
26 Ungabi ngumuntu ophanga ukwenza izithembiso kumbe onika isibambiso ngezikwelede;
Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are sureties for debts.
27 ungayiswela inhlawulo uzakwemukwa noma ngumbheda wakho olala kuwo.
When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?
28 Ungasusi ilitshe lakudala elomngcele elabekwa ngokhokho bakho.
Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have made.
29 Uyambona umuntu oyingcitshi emsebenzini wakhe na? Uzasebenzela amakhosi; akayikusebenzela abantukazana.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.
