Izaga 25
1 Lezi ngezinye njalo izaga zikaSolomoni, ezabhalwa yizinceku zikaHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda:
These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.
2 Kuyinkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ukufihla indaba; ukuchwayisisa indaba ludumo lwababusi.
It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
3 Njengalokhu izulu liphakeme lomhlaba ujulile, kanjalo imicabango yamakhosi kayifinyelelwa.
The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Susa amakhafutha ahlangene lesiliva umkhandi athole ukulungisa isitsha sihle;
Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
5 susa abantu ababi phambi kwenkosi, isihlalo sayo sizaqiniswa ngokulunga.
Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
6 Ungaziphakamisi phambi kwenkosi, ungaziphendleli indawo phakathi kwezikhulu;
Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
7 kuba ngcono ukuthi yona ithi, “Woza uhlale ngapha,” kulokuthi yona ikwehlise phambi kwezikhulu. Lokho okubonileyo ngawakho amehlo
For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
8 ungaphangisi ukukubika emthethwandaba, ngoba uzathini nxa umakhelwane wakho esekuyangisa?
The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
9 Nxa ungaya edale lomakhelwane wakho ungahambi usuhlabela imfihlo yenu,
Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
10 funa lowo okuzwayo akuyangise uhlale usungumuntu olebizo elibi.
Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
11 Ilizwi elikhulunywe ngesikhathi esifaneleyo linjengama-aphula egolide ananyekwe emcepheni wesiliva.
To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 Njengecici legolide kumbe umceciso wegolide elicengiweyo kunjalo ukukhuza komuntu ohlakaniphileyo, kolalelayo.
As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.
13 Njengokuqanda kongqwaqwane ngesikhathi sokuvuna sinjalo isithunywa esithembekileyo kwabasithumileyo; sivuselela imiphefumulo yabaphathi baso.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
14 Njengamayezi lomoya okungalethi izulu unjalo umuntu ozikhukhumeza ngamandla angelawo.
As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfill his promises.
15 Ngokubekezela inkosi ingancengwa ize ivume, lolimi oluthambileyo lungalephula ithambo.
By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 Nxa uthole inyosi, dlana okwaneleyo ungedlulisi amalawulo, uzazihlanza.
Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
17 Ungabi ngunsukuzonke endlini kamakhelwane wakho uzacina usumdaka abesekuzonda.
Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
18 Unjengesagila loba inkemba kumbe umtshoko obukhali umuntu ofakaza amanga ngomakhelwane wakhe.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Njengezinyo elibuhlungu loba unyawo olwenyeleyo kunjalo ukweyama emuntwini ongathembekanga ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka.
To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
20 Njengomuntu okhumula ibhatshi mhla kumakhaza, loba njengokuthela iviniga phakathi kwesoda unjalo ohlabelela izingoma emuntwini odabukileyo.
And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.
21 Nxa isitha sakho silambile siphe ukudla sidle; nxa somile siphe amanzi sinathe.
If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:
22 Ngokwenza lokho, umokhela amalahle avuthayo ekhanda, njalo uThixo uzakubusisa.
For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
23 Njengomoya wasenyakatho uletha izulu, lunjalo ulimi olulobuqili luvusa ulaka.
The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 Kungcono ukuhlala ekhulusini lophahla lwendlu kulokuhlala ndlu yinye lomfazi olomlomo.
It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
25 Njengamanzi aqandayo emuntwini okhatheleyo, zinjalo izindaba ezimnandi ezivela elizweni elikude.
As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.
26 Njengesiziba esidungekileyo loba umthombo ongcolileyo unjalo umuntu olungileyo odedela umuntu omubi.
A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.
27 Kakukuhle ukudla inyosi wedlulise, njalo kakulasithunzi ukuzidingela ukudunyiswa.
As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.
28 Njengedolobho eselidilikelwe ngumthangala walo unjalo umuntu ongazithintiyo.
As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
