Izaga 17
1 Ucezu olomileyo lokuthula kanye lalo lungcono kulendlu egcwele imihlatshelo lengxabano.
Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 Inceku ehlakaniphileyo izabusa phezu kwendodana eyangisayo, yehlukanise ilifa phakathi kwezelamani.
A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.
3 Imbiza yokuncibilikisa ngeyesiliva, lesithando ngesegolide, kodwa iNkosi ihlola izinhliziyo.
As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
4 Umenzi wobubi ulalela indebe ekhohlakeleyo; umqambimanga ubeka indlebe olimini oluchithayo.
The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.
5 Oklolodela umyanga uthuka uMenzi wakhe; othokoza encithakalweni kayikuba msulwa.
Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.
6 Abantwana babantwana bangumqhele wabadala, lodumo lwabantwana ngoyise.
Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers.
7 Indebe elobungcwethi kayisifanelanga isithutha; kakhulu kangakanani indebe yamanga isiphathamandla.
Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.
8 Isipho siyilitshe eliligugu emehlweni abaniniso; loba ngaphi esiphendukela khona sizaphumelela.
A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.
9 Osibekela isiphambeko udinga uthando, kodwa ophindaphinda udaba wehlukanisa umngane oseduze.
Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.
10 Ukukhuza kuyajula koqedisisayo kulokutshaya isithutha ngokulikhulu.
A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.
11 Omubi udinga ububi kuphela, kodwa isithunywa esilesihluku sizathunyelwa kuye.
A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Kakuthi ibhere elifelwe yimidlwane lihlangane lomuntu, kodwa hatshi isithutha ebuthutheni baso.
It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.
13 Ophindisela okubi esikhundleni sokuhle, ububi kabuyikusuka endlini yakhe.
He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.
14 Ukuqala kwenkani kunjengokuvulela amanzi; ngakho yekela ingxabano ingakazivezi.
The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.
15 Olungisisa omubi lolahla olungileyo bayisinengiso eNkosini, ngitsho bobabili.
He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
16 Kungani kulemali yokuthenga inhlakanipho esandleni sesithutha, lokhu singelangqondo?
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?
17 Umngane uyathanda ngaso sonke isikhathi, lomzalwane uzalelwa inhlupheko.
A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
18 Umuntu oswela ingqondo uyabambana ngezandla ukuba yisibambiso phambi kukamakhelwane wakhe.
A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.
19 Othanda isiphambeko uthanda inkani; ophakamisa umnyango wakhe udinga ukubhujiswa.
He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
20 Olenhliziyo ephambeneyo katholi okuhle, lophambene ngolimi uwela ebubini.
The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.
21 Ozala isithutha, sizakuba lusizi kuye; loyise wesithutha kathokozi.
He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
22 Inhliziyo ethokozayo yenza kuhle njengomuthi, kodwa umoya owephukileyo womisa amathambo.
A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
23 Omubi uthatha isipho esifubeni ukuphambula izindlela zesahlulelo.
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.
24 Inhlakanipho iphambi koqedisisayo, kodwa amehlo esithutha asekucineni komhlaba.
Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world.
25 Indodana eyisiwula ilusizi kuyise, iyikubaba kowayizalayo.
A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.
26 Ukuhlawulisa olungileyo lakho kakulunganga, lokutshaya iziphathamandla ngenxa yobuqotho.
Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.
27 Owazi ulwazi ugodla amazwi akhe; umuntu oqedisisayo ulomoya opholileyo.
Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Isithutha esithuleyo laso sithiwa sihlakaniphile; ovala indebe zakhe uthiwa uyaqedisisa.
Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
