Izaga 22
1 Ibizo elihle likhethekile kulenotho enengi; isisa esihle kulesiliva njalo kulegolide.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; And better is good-will than silver and gold.
2 Onothileyo lomyanga bayahlangana; iNkosi yabenza bonke.
The rich and the poor meet together; The LORD is the Maker of them all.
3 Ohlakaniphileyo ubona ububi acatshe, kodwa abangelalwazi bayaqhubeka babesebejeziswa.
The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.
4 Umvuzo wokuthobeka lokwesaba iNkosi kuyinotho lodumo lempilo.
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.
5 Ameva lemijibila kusendleleni yabaphambeneyo; ogcina umphefumulo wakhe uzakuba khatshana labo.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be far from them.
6 Fundisa umntwana endleleni angahamba ngayo; ngitsho esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.
Train up a child in accordance with his way, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Onothileyo ubusa abayanga, lomeboleki uyisigqili somebolekisi.
The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Ohlanyela ukonakala uzavuna ukuhlupheka, lentonga yolaka lwakhe izaphela.
He who soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.
9 Olelihlo elilokuhle yena uzabusiswa, ngoba unikile okwesinkwa sakhe kumyanga.
He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Xotsha isideleli, kuzaphuma lenkani, yebo, ingxabano lehlazo kuzaphela.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.
11 Othanda ukuhlanzeka kwenhliziyo, ngenxa yesisa sendebe zakhe, inkosi ingumgane wakhe.
He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.
12 Amehlo eNkosi alondoloza ulwazi, kodwa izachitha amazwi abangathembekanga.
The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
13 Ivila lithi: Kulesilwane ngaphandle; ngizabulawa phakathi kwezitalada.
The slothful man saith, “There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.”
14 Umlomo wabesifazana bemzini ungumgodi otshonayo; lowo iNkosi emthukutheleleyo uzawela khona.
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.
15 Ubuthutha bubotshelwe enhliziyweni yomntwana; uswazi lokuqondisa luzabususela khatshana laye.
Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16 Ocindezela umyanga ukwandisa alakho, opha onothileyo, isibili uzakuba ngoswelayo.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 Beka indlebe yakho, uzwe amazwi abahlakaniphileyo, umise inhliziyo yakho elwazini lami.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And give heed to my instruction!
18 Ngoba kumnandi uba uwalondoloza emibilini yakho; azahlala elungile kanyekanye endebeni zakho.
For it will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon thy lips.
19 Ukuze ithemba lakho libe seNkosini, ngikwazisile wona lamuhla, ngitsho wena.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.
20 Kangikubhalelanga yini izinto ezinhle kakhulu kuzeluleko lelwazini?
Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning counsel and knowledge;
21 Ukukwazisa ukuqiniseka kwamazwi eqiniso, ukuze ubuyisele amazwi eqiniso kulabo abakuthumileyo.
That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send thee.
22 Ungamphangi umyanga ngoba engumyanga, njalo ungamchobozi oswelayo esangweni.
Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;
23 Ngoba iNkosi izamela udaba lwabo, iphange umphefumulo wababaphangayo.
For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.
24 Ungahlanganyeli lomuntu ololaka, ungahambisani lomuntu othukuthelayo,
Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;
25 hlezi ufunde indlela zakhe, wemukele umjibila emphefumulweni wakho.
Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself a snare.
26 Ungabi phakathi kwababambana izandla, phakathi kwabayizibambiso ngezikwelede.
Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are sureties for debts.
27 Uba ungelakho okokuhlawula, kungani ezathatha umbheda wakho ngaphansi kwakho?
When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?
28 Ungatshedisi isikhonkwane esidala somngcele, oyihlo abasenzayo.
Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have made.
29 Uyambona yini umuntu oyingcitshi emsebenzini wakhe? Uzazimisa phambi kwamakhosi; kayikuzimisa phambi kwabantukazana.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.
