Izaga 9
1 Ukuhlakanipha sekuzakhele indlu yakho, imisiwe ngezinsika eziyisikhombisa.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 Isiphekiwe inyama yakho kwalungiswa lewayini; konke sekudekiwe etafuleni.
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 Usewathumile amantombazana, uyanxusa emi ezindaweni eziphakemeyo zedolobho.
She hath sent forth her maidens, she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 “Akuthi bonke abayizithutha beze lapha!” Esitsho kulabo abangaqedisisiyo.
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
5 “Wozani lidle ukudla kwami linathe iwayini esengililungisile.
Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Lahlani izindlela zenu zobuthutha lizaphila; hambani ngendlela yokuzwisisa.”
Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.
7 Lowo oweluleka oklolodayo ubiza inhlamba; okhuza umuntu oxhwalileyo ucina ethethiswa.
He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that reproveth a wicked man [getteth] himself a blot.
8 Ungakhuzi isiqholo ngoba sizakuzonda; khuza ohlakaniphileyo uzakuthanda.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Yeluleka umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uzakwandisa ukuhlakanipha kwakhe; fundisa umuntu olungileyo, uzakwengeza ulwazi lwakhe.
Give [instruction] to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
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 One is understanding.
11 Ngoba ngami zizakuba zinengi insuku zakho, kwandiswe iminyaka yokuphila kwakho.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 Nxa uhlakaniphile, ukuhlakanipha kwakho kuzakusiza; aluba uyisiqholo, uzahlupheka wedwa.
If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself: and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 Umfazi othiwa nguBuwula ulomsindo; kagobeki njalo kazi lutho.
The foolish woman is clamorous; [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 Uthanda ukuhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni endaweni esesiqongweni sedolobho,
And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 abe ehuga labo abedlulayo, abahamba beqonde lapho abaya khona.
To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways,
16 “Abeze lapha bonke abayizithutha!” Esitsho kulabo abangacabangiyo.
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
17 “Ulutho lokuntshontshwa lumnandi; ukudla okudlelwa ensitha kuyahlabusa!”
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
