Izaga 9
1 Ukuhlakanipha sekuzakhele indlu yakho, imisiwe ngezinsika eziyisikhombisa.
Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
2 Isiphekiwe inyama yakho kwalungiswa lewayini; konke sekudekiwe etafuleni.
She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
3 Usewathumile amantombazana, uyanxusa emi ezindaweni eziphakemeyo zedolobho.
She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
4 “Akuthi bonke abayizithutha beze lapha!” Esitsho kulabo abangaqedisisiyo.
Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
5 “Wozani lidle ukudla kwami linathe iwayini esengililungisile.
Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Lahlani izindlela zenu zobuthutha lizaphila; hambani ngendlela yokuzwisisa.”
Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
7 Lowo oweluleka oklolodayo ubiza inhlamba; okhuza umuntu oxhwalileyo ucina ethethiswa.
He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
8 Ungakhuzi isiqholo ngoba sizakuzonda; khuza ohlakaniphileyo uzakuthanda.
Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Yeluleka umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uzakwandisa ukuhlakanipha kwakhe; fundisa umuntu olungileyo, uzakwengeza ulwazi lwakhe.
Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.
10 Ukumesaba uThixo kuyikuqala kwenhlakanipho, njalo ulwazi ngaLowo oNgcwele luyikuqedisisa.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
11 Ngoba ngami zizakuba zinengi insuku zakho, kwandiswe iminyaka yokuphila kwakho.
For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
12 Nxa uhlakaniphile, ukuhlakanipha kwakho kuzakusiza; aluba uyisiqholo, uzahlupheka wedwa.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
13 Umfazi othiwa nguBuwula ulomsindo; kagobeki njalo kazi lutho.
A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
14 Uthanda ukuhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni endaweni esesiqongweni sedolobho,
Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 abe ehuga labo abedlulayo, abahamba beqonde lapho abaya khona.
To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
16 “Abeze lapha bonke abayizithutha!” Esitsho kulabo abangacabangiyo.
He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
17 “Ulutho lokuntshontshwa lumnandi; ukudla okudlelwa ensitha kuyahlabusa!”
Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.
