Izaga 26
1 Njengongqwaqwane ehlobo loba izulu ebusika kanjalo udumo alusifanelanga isiwula.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 Njengentaka ephaphazelayo loba inkonjane entwezayo, sinjalo isiqalekiso esingelasizatho kasinamatheli.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 Isiswebhu ngesebhiza, amatomu ngakababhemi, loswazi ngolwemihlane yeziwula!
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Ungabophendula isiwula ngendlela yobuwula baso, funa ubenjengaso wena ngokwakho.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.
5 Phendula isiwula ngendlela yobuwula baso, sizabona kungathi sihlakaniphile.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Njengokuziquma inyawo zakho loba ukunatha itshefu, kunjalo ukuthumela umlayezo ngesiwula.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Njengemilenze eqhugezelayo eyomuntu oqhulayo sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wesiwula.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni kunjalo ukupha udumo koyisiwula.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Njengogatsha lwameva luphethwe yisidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wesiwula.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Njengomtshoko ociba loba ngubani odlulayo unjalo oqhatsha isiwula loba umuntu ozedlulelayo.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Njengenja ebuyela emahlanzweni ayo kanjalo isiwula siyabuphinda ubuthutha baso.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Uyambona yini umuntu ozibona engohlakaniphileyo? Kulethemba elingcono ngesiwula kulaye.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 Ivilavoxo lithi, “Kulesilwane endleleni, kulesilwane emigwaqweni!”
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Njengesivalo esitshibilika ngamabhanti aso kanjalo ivila liphenduka embhedeni walo.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Ivilavoxo litshonisa isandla salo emganwini; livilaphe ukusa isandla emlonyeni lidle.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 Ivila lizibona lihlakaniphile kakhulu okwedlula abantu abayisikhombisa abangaphendula ngokuhlakanipha.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Njengomuntu odonsa inja ngendlebe unjalo umuntu othi edlula angenele ingxabano ingesiyakhe.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Njengohlanya luphosa izikhuni zomlilo kumbe imitshoko ebulalayo,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 injalo indoda ephoxa umakhelwane wayo ibisisithi, “Bengizidlalela nje!”
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Nxa kungaselankuni umlilo uyacima; nxa kungaselakunyeya ukuxabana kuyaphela.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Njengamalahle avuthayo loba njengenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu othanda ingxabano ekuvuseni inkani.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 Amazwi omuntu onyeyayo anjengezibiliboco; angena ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yomuntu.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Njengesiliva egcotshwe esitsheni sebumba sikhazimule kunjalo ukuthakazelela kwezindebe zenhliziyo elobubi.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 Umuntu olenhliziyo embi uvala ngezindebe ezimnandi, kodwa enhliziyweni yakhe ufihle inkohliso.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Loba ukukhuluma kwakhe kumnandi, kodwa ungaze wamkholwa, ngoba inhliziyo yakhe igcwele izithuko eziyisikhombisa.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Inzondo yakhe angayivala ngobuqili, kodwa ububi bakhe buzavezwa obala ebantwini.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Umuntu angagebha umgodi, uzawela kuwo; umuntu angagiqa ilitshe, lizaphenduka ligiqikele phezu kwakhe.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 Ulimi oluqamba amanga luyabazonda labo olubalimazayo, lomlomo okhohlisayo uletha incithakalo.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
