Izaga 29
1 Umuntu oqinisa intamo phezu kokukhuzwa kanengi uzabhujiswa ngesikhatshana kungabi lokuphepha.
He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2 Lapho kuphumelela abalungileyo abantu bayajabula; nxa kubusa izixhwali abantu bayabubula.
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 Umuntu othanda ukuhlakanipha uletha intokozo kuyise, kodwa ohamba lezifebe utshaphaza inotho yakhe.
Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 Ngokubusa kuhle inkosi iyaliqinisa ilizwe layo, kodwa leyo elihaga lezivalamlomo iyalibhidliza.
The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
5 Loba ngubani okhohlisa umakhelwane wakhe uzendlalela umambule wokuzithiya.
A man who flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.
6 Umuntu omubi uthiywa yisono sakhe, kodwa umuntu olungileyo angahlabela athokoze.
An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
7 Olungileyo uyawananza amalungelo abayanga, kodwa ababi kabazidubi ngalokho.
The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
8 Izideleli zingalidunga idolobho, kodwa abantu abahlakaniphileyo bayaludedisa ulaka.
Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9 Nxa umuntu ohlakaniphileyo esiya emthethwandaba lesiwula, isiwula siyatshinga sibhede kube lomsindo.
If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 Abadinga ukuchitha igazi bayamzonda umuntu oqotho njalo badinga ukubulala abalungileyo.
The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
11 Isiwula siyalukhihliza lonke ulaka lwaso, kodwa umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uyazithiba.
A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
12 Nxa umbusi elalela amanga, zonke izikhulu zakhe ziba zimbi.
If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
13 Umyanga lomncindezeli bakanye kulokhu: UThixo uvula amehlo abo bobabili.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 Nxa inkosi isahlulela abayanga kungelabandlululo, isihlalo sayo sobukhosi sizaqina.
The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
15 Uswazi lokuqondisa lunika ukuhlakanipha, kodwa umntwana oyekelwayo uhlazisa unina.
The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16 Nxa ababi bephumelela, lesono laso siyaphumelela, kodwa abalungileyo bazabawisa.
When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Qondisa indodana yakho, izakupha ukuthula; izaletha injabulo emphefumulweni wakho.
Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Lapho okungekho khona isambulelo, abantu badela ukuzithiba; kodwa ubusisiwe lowo ogcina umlayo.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
19 Inceku kayiqondiswa ngamazwi nje wodwa, loba izwisisa kayiyikukwenza ekutshelwayo.
A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
20 Uyambona umuntu owalazela ukukhuluma? Kulethemba elingcono esiwuleni kulaye.
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Umuntu ototoza inceku yakhe isakhula, leyonceku izamthwalisa nzima ekucineni.
He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
22 Umuntu othukuthelayo udala ingxabano, kodwa lowo olicaphucaphu wenza izono ezinengi.
An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23 Ukuzigqaja komuntu kuyamehlisa, kodwa umuntu ozehlisayo uzuza udumo.
A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honour.
24 Osizana lesela uyazizonda yena; usezifungise kulo ngakho ngeke afakaze iqiniso.
Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25 Ukwesaba abantu kuba yizithiyo, kodwa lowo othemba uThixo uzaphepha.
The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD is kept safe.
26 Abanengi bazama ukuzisondeza kumbusi, kodwa ukwahlulela okuhle kuvela kuThixo.
Many seek the ruler’s favour, but a man’s justice comes from the LORD.
27 Abalungileyo bayabenyanya abangathembekanga; abaxhwalileyo bayabenyanya abalungileyo.
A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.
