Izaga 22
1 Ibizo elihle liyathandeka kulenotho enengi; ukuhlonitshwa kungcono kulesiliva kumbe igolide.
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favour 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 is the maker of them all.
3 Umuntu olengqondo uthi ebona ingozi acatshe, kodwa isithutha siyaphikelela singena enkathazweni.
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 Ukuzithoba lokwesaba uThixo kuletha inotho lodumo lokuphila.
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honour, and life.
5 Endleleni yababi kugcwele ameva lemjibila, kodwa onanzelela umphefumulo wakhe unqenqela khatshana.
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6 Fundisa umntwana indlela amele ahambe ngayo, kuzakuthi esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Abanothileyo babusa abayanga, lalowo owebolekayo uyisichaka salowo omebolekayo.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Lowo ohlanyele ububi uvuna ukuhlupheka, njalo uswazi lolaka lwakhe luzakwephulwa.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 Umuntu ophanayo uzabusiswa, ngoba wabela abayanga ukudla kwakhe.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Xotsha isideleli, lenkani ihle iphume; ukuxabana lokuthukana kuyaphela.
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 Othanda inhliziyo ehlanzekileyo, onkulumo yakhe ipholile uzakuba ngumngane wombusi.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 Amehlo kaThixo ayaluvikela ulwazi kodwa uyawadiliza amazwi abangathembekanga.
The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 Ivilavoxo lithi, “Kulesilwane phandle! Ngizabulawa ezindleleni!”
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
14 Umlomo wesifebekazi unjengomgodi otshonayo; lowo othukwe nguThixo uzawobokela kuwo.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15 Ubuwula bugxilile enhliziyweni yomntwana, kodwa uswazi lokuqondisa luzabuxotshela khatshana.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Lowo oncindezela abayanga ukuze anothe ngabo, lalowo oncenga abanothileyo ngezipho, bonke bacina sebengabayanga.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 Lalela uzwe amazwi ezihlakaniphi; nikela inhliziyo yakho ezifundweni zami,
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 ngoba kuyathokozisa nxa uzigcina enhliziyweni yakho, uzitsho kalula ngezindebe zakho.
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 Ukuze ithemba lakho lihlale kuThixo, yikho ngikufundisa lamuhla wena ngokwakho.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20 Kangikulobelanga yini izitsho ezingamatshumi amathathu, izitsho zokweluleka lolwazi,
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21 ezikufundisa amazwi eqiniso athembekileyo, ukuze ukwazi ukupha impendulo ezilesisindo kulowo okuthumileyo na?
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Ungagegeleli abayanga ngoba bengabayanga njalo ungaphoseli abaswelayo entolongweni,
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 ngoba uThixo uzakuba ngumeli wabo abahlukuluze labo ababahlukuluzayo.
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Ungabi ngumngane womuntu ololaka, ungahambi lomuntu ozonda masinyane,
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbours anger,
25 funa ufunde izindlela zakhe uzingenise emjibileni.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26 Ungabi ngumuntu ophanga ukwenza izithembiso kumbe onika isibambiso ngezikwelede;
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27 ungayiswela inhlawulo uzakwemukwa noma ngumbheda wakho olala kuwo.
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Ungasusi ilitshe lakudala elomngcele elabekwa ngokhokho bakho.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29 Uyambona umuntu oyingcitshi emsebenzini wakhe na? Uzasebenzela amakhosi; akayikusebenzela abantukazana.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
