Izaga 22
1 Ibizo elihle likhethekile kulenotho enengi; isisa esihle kulesiliva njalo kulegolide.
A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
2 Onothileyo lomyanga bayahlangana; iNkosi yabenza bonke.
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
3 Ohlakaniphileyo ubona ububi acatshe, kodwa abangelalwazi bayaqhubeka babesebejeziswa.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
4 Umvuzo wokuthobeka lokwesaba iNkosi kuyinotho lodumo lempilo.
The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Ameva lemijibila kusendleleni yabaphambeneyo; ogcina umphefumulo wakhe uzakuba khatshana labo.
Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
6 Fundisa umntwana endleleni angahamba ngayo; ngitsho esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.
Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
7 Onothileyo ubusa abayanga, lomeboleki uyisigqili somebolekisi.
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 Ohlanyela ukonakala uzavuna ukuhlupheka, lentonga yolaka lwakhe izaphela.
Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
9 Olelihlo elilokuhle yena uzabusiswa, ngoba unikile okwesinkwa sakhe kumyanga.
If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
10 Xotsha isideleli, kuzaphuma lenkani, yebo, ingxabano lehlazo kuzaphela.
Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
11 Othanda ukuhlanzeka kwenhliziyo, ngenxa yesisa sendebe zakhe, inkosi ingumgane wakhe.
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
12 Amehlo eNkosi alondoloza ulwazi, kodwa izachitha amazwi abangathembekanga.
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
13 Ivila lithi: Kulesilwane ngaphandle; ngizabulawa phakathi kwezitalada.
Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
14 Umlomo wabesifazana bemzini ungumgodi otshonayo; lowo iNkosi emthukutheleleyo uzawela khona.
The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
15 Ubuthutha bubotshelwe enhliziyweni yomntwana; uswazi lokuqondisa luzabususela khatshana laye.
Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
16 Ocindezela umyanga ukwandisa alakho, opha onothileyo, isibili uzakuba ngoswelayo.
If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
17 Beka indlebe yakho, uzwe amazwi abahlakaniphileyo, umise inhliziyo yakho elwazini lami.
Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
18 Ngoba kumnandi uba uwalondoloza emibilini yakho; azahlala elungile kanyekanye endebeni zakho.
for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
19 Ukuze ithemba lakho libe seNkosini, ngikwazisile wona lamuhla, ngitsho wena.
I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
20 Kangikubhalelanga yini izinto ezinhle kakhulu kuzeluleko lelwazini?
Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
21 Ukukwazisa ukuqiniseka kwamazwi eqiniso, ukuze ubuyisele amazwi eqiniso kulabo abakuthumileyo.
They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
22 Ungamphangi umyanga ngoba engumyanga, njalo ungamchobozi oswelayo esangweni.
For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
23 Ngoba iNkosi izamela udaba lwabo, iphange umphefumulo wababaphangayo.
for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
24 Ungahlanganyeli lomuntu ololaka, ungahambisani lomuntu othukuthelayo,
Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
25 hlezi ufunde indlela zakhe, wemukele umjibila emphefumulweni wakho.
in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
26 Ungabi phakathi kwababambana izandla, phakathi kwabayizibambiso ngezikwelede.
Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
27 Uba ungelakho okokuhlawula, kungani ezathatha umbheda wakho ngaphansi kwakho?
for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
28 Ungatshedisi isikhonkwane esidala somngcele, oyihlo abasenzayo.
Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
29 Uyambona yini umuntu oyingcitshi emsebenzini wakhe? Uzazimisa phambi kwamakhosi; kayikuzimisa phambi kwabantukazana.
If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
