Izaga 9
1 Ukuhlakanipha sekuzakhele indlu yakho, imisiwe ngezinsika eziyisikhombisa.
Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
2 Isiphekiwe inyama yakho kwalungiswa lewayini; konke sekudekiwe etafuleni.
She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
3 Usewathumile amantombazana, uyanxusa emi ezindaweni eziphakemeyo zedolobho.
She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
4 “Akuthi bonke abayizithutha beze lapha!” Esitsho kulabo abangaqedisisiyo.
Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
5 “Wozani lidle ukudla kwami linathe iwayini esengililungisile.
Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
6 Lahlani izindlela zenu zobuthutha lizaphila; hambani ngendlela yokuzwisisa.”
Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
7 Lowo oweluleka oklolodayo ubiza inhlamba; okhuza umuntu oxhwalileyo ucina ethethiswa.
He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.
8 Ungakhuzi isiqholo ngoba sizakuzonda; khuza ohlakaniphileyo uzakuthanda.
Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.
9 Yeluleka umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uzakwandisa ukuhlakanipha kwakhe; fundisa umuntu olungileyo, uzakwengeza ulwazi lwakhe.
Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
10 Ukumesaba uThixo kuyikuqala kwenhlakanipho, njalo ulwazi ngaLowo oNgcwele luyikuqedisisa.
The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
11 Ngoba ngami zizakuba zinengi insuku zakho, kwandiswe iminyaka yokuphila kwakho.
For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
12 Nxa uhlakaniphile, ukuhlakanipha kwakho kuzakusiza; aluba uyisiqholo, uzahlupheka wedwa.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.
13 Umfazi othiwa nguBuwula ulomsindo; kagobeki njalo kazi lutho.
The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
14 Uthanda ukuhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni endaweni esesiqongweni sedolobho,
Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
15 abe ehuga labo abedlulayo, abahamba beqonde lapho abaya khona.
Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
16 “Abeze lapha bonke abayizithutha!” Esitsho kulabo abangacabangiyo.
Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
17 “Ulutho lokuntshontshwa lumnandi; ukudla okudlelwa ensitha kuyahlabusa!”
Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
