Izaga 9
1 Ukuhlakanipha sekuzakhele indlu yakho, imisiwe ngezinsika eziyisikhombisa.
Wisdom hath built 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.
Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 “Wozani lidle ukudla kwami linathe iwayini esengililungisile.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.
6 Lahlani izindlela zenu zobuthutha lizaphila; hambani ngendlela yokuzwisisa.”
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 Lowo oweluleka oklolodayo ubiza inhlamba; okhuza umuntu oxhwalileyo ucina ethethiswa.
He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.
8 Ungakhuzi isiqholo ngoba sizakuzonda; khuza ohlakaniphileyo uzakuthanda.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall 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 [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [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 [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 shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].
13 Umfazi othiwa nguBuwula ulomsindo; kagobeki njalo kazi lutho.
A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 Uthanda ukuhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni endaweni esesiqongweni sedolobho,
For 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 passengers who go right on their ways:
16 “Abeze lapha bonke abayizithutha!” Esitsho kulabo abangacabangiyo.
Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 “Ulutho lokuntshontshwa lumnandi; ukudla okudlelwa ensitha kuyahlabusa!”
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
