Izaga 21
1 Inhliziyo yenkosi isesandleni sikaJehova injengezifula zamanzi; uyiphendulela loba ngaphi athanda khona.
The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Yonke indlela yomuntu ilungile emehlweni akhe, kodwa iNkosi ihlola izinhliziyo.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 Ukwenza ukulunga lesahlulelo kukhethekile eNkosini kulomhlatshelo.
To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Ukuphakama kwamehlo, lokuzigqaja kwenhliziyo, lokulima kwabakhohlakeleyo, kuyisono.
A high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
5 Imicabango yokhutheleyo isenzuzweni kuphela, kodwa eyakhe wonke ophangisayo isekusweleni kuphela.
The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.
6 Ukwenza inotho ngolimi lwamanga kuyize eliphephukayo elalabo abadinga ukufa.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
7 Isihluku sababi sizabahudula, ngoba besala ukwenza okulungileyo.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 Indlela yomuntu igobile njalo ilecala, kodwa ohlanzekileyo, umsebenzi wakhe uqondile.
The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
9 Kungcono ukuhlala engonsini yophahla kulalowesifazana wezinkani lendlini yokuhlanganyela.
[It is] better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 Umphefumulo wokhohlakeleyo uloyisa ububi; umakhelwane wakhe kemukeli umusa emehlweni akhe.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11 Nxa isideleli sijeziswa, umuntu ongelalwazi uyahlakanipha; lalapho ohlakaniphileyo elaywa wemukela ulwazi.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Olungileyo uyananzelela indlu yokhohlakeleyo; uNkulunkulu uwisela abakhohlakeleyo ebubini.
The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
13 Ogcika indlebe yakhe ekukhaleni komyanga, laye uzakhala angaphendulwa.
Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 Isipho sensitha siyadedisa intukuthelo, lesivalamlomo esifubeni ulaka olulamandla.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 Kuyintokozo kolungileyo ukwenza ukulunga, kodwa kuluvalo kubenzi bobubi.
[It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
16 Umuntu oduha endleleni yokuqedisisa uzahlala ebandleni lemimoya efileyo.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 Othanda injabulo uzakuba ngumyanga; othanda iwayini lamafutha kayikunotha.
He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 Okhohlakeleyo uyinhlawulelo yolungileyo, lesiphambeki esikhundleni sabaqotho.
The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 Kungcono ukuhlala elizweni eliyinkangala kulalowesifazana wezingxabano lolaka.
[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 Kukhona imfuyo eloyisekayo lamafutha emzini wohlakaniphileyo, kodwa umuntu oyisithutha uyakuginya.
[There is] a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 Oxotshana lokulunga lomusa uzathola impilo, ukulunga, lodumo.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Ohlakaniphileyo ukhwela emzini wamaqhawe, adilizele phansi amandla ethemba lawo.
A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Ogcina umlomo wakhe lolimi lwakhe, ugcina umphefumulo wakhe ezinkathazweni.
Whoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Isideleli esizikhukhumezayo esizigqajayo libizo lakhe osebenza ngolaka lokuzikhukhumeza.
Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 Isiloyiso sevila sizalibulala, ngoba izandla zalo ziyala ukusebenza.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Usuku lonke liloyisa isiloyiso, kodwa olungileyo uzakupha, angagodli.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 Umhlatshelo wabakhohlakeleyo uyisinengiso; kakhulu kangakanani nxa bewuletha ngecebo elibi.
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 Umfakazi wamanga uzabhubha, kodwa umuntu olalelayo uzakhuluma njalonjalo.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 Umuntu okhohlakeleyo wenza lukhuni ubuso bakhe, kodwa oqotho yena uyananzelela indlela yakhe.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
30 Kakulanhlakanipho, njalo kakulakuqedisisa, njalo kakulaseluleko, okumelana leNkosi.
[There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 Ibhiza lilungiselwa usuku lwempi, kodwa ukukhululwa ngokweNkosi.
The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] from the LORD.
