Izaga 28
1 Umuntu omubi uyabaleka loba engaxotshaniswa muntu, kodwa abalungileyo balesibindi njengesilwane.
The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 Nxa ilizwe lihlamuka liba lababusi abanengi, kodwa umuntu ozwisisayo lololwazi ugcina ukuthula.
In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3 Umbusi oncindezela abayanga unjengezulu elinengi elikhukhula amabele.
A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 Labo abaphikisa umthetho bakhuthaza izigangi, kodwa labo abawugcinayo bayazenqabela.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
5 Abantu ababi kabakuzwisisi ukwahlulela kuhle, kodwa labo abamdingayo uThixo bayakuzwisisa kakhulu.
Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 Ungcono umyanga ohamba ngokulunga kulesinothi esilezindlela zokungcola.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 Lowo ogcina umthetho yindodana eqedisisayo, kodwa umngane wezixhwali uyangisa uyise.
Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Lowo owandisa inotho yakhe ngenzaliso uyibuthela omunye ozaba lomusa kubayanga.
He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9 Loba ngubani ongawulaleliyo umthetho, lemikhuleko yakhe izakuba yisinengiso.
He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Lowo oholela olungileyo endleleni embi uzawela emjibileni wakhe, kodwa ongelacala uzakwamukela ilifa elihle.
Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
11 Umuntu onothileyo angazibona ingathi uhlakaniphile, kodwa umyanga oqedisisayo uhle abone ukuthi kasumuntu.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 Nxa olungileyo enqoba kulokujabula okukhulu; kodwa nxa omubi ethatha umbuso abantu bayacatsha.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 Lowo ofihla iziphambeko zakhe kayikuphumelela, kodwa lowo ozivumayo azitshiye ufumana umusa.
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Ubusisiwe umuntu ohlala emesaba uThixo, kodwa lowo oyenza lukhuni inhliziyo yakhe uwela enkathazweni.
Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 Njengesilwane esibhongayo loba ibhele elihlaselayo unjalo umuntu omubi nxa ebusa abantu abangelamandla.
As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 Umbusi oncindezelayo wehluleka ukwahlulela kuhle, kodwa lowo ozonda inzuzo yokuganga uzakuba lempilo ende.
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17 Umuntu odliwa ngumzwangedwa wokubulala omunye uzaba ngohlala ebaleka aze ayokufa; akungabi lomuntu omsekelayo.
A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
18 Lowo ompilo yakhe ingelacala uvikelekile, kodwa ondlela zakhe zixhwalile uzakuwa masinyane.
Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 Lowo osebenza nzima emasimini akhe uzathola ukudla okunengi, kodwa lowo ophika ngezifiso eziyize uzakuba ngumyanga onukayo.
One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 Umuntu othembekileyo uzabusiswa ngokuphumelela, kodwa ogijimela ukunotha kayikuphepha ekujezisweni.
A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 Ukubandlulula abantu kakulunganga ikanti umuntu uyona ukuze azuze ucezu lwesinkwa.
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 Umuntu oncitshanayo utshisekela ukunotha kodwa kaboni ukuthi unyenyelwa yibuyanga.
A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23 Lowo okhuza umuntu uzacina esethandeka kulalowo ololimi olukhohlisayo.
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Lowo ontshontshela uyise loba unina athi, “Akusinto embi” ungumngane lomuntu obhidlizayo.
Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25 Umuntu olomhawu ubanga ingxabano, kodwa lowo omethembayo uThixo uzaphumelela.
One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 Lowo ozithembayo yena uyisiwula, kodwa lowo ohamba ngenhlakanipho uvikelekile.
One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 Lowo opha abayanga kayikuswela lutho, kodwa ovala amehlo ingathi kababoni uzuza iziqalekiso ezinengi.
One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28 Lapho izigangi zisiba yiziphathamandla abantu bayacatsha; kodwa nxa kusifa izixhwali abalungileyo bayaphumelela.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
