Izaga 26
1 Njengeliqhwa elikhithikileyo ehlobo lanjengezulu ngesikhathi sokuvuna, ngokunjalo udumo kalusifanelanga isithutha.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
2 Njengenyoni ekuzulazuleni, njengenkonjane ekuphapheni, ngokunjalo isiqalekiso kungelasizatho kasiyikufika.
As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
3 Isiswepu ngesebhiza, itomu ngelikababhemi, loswazi ngolomhlana wezithutha.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Ungaphenduli isithutha ngokobuthutha baso, hlezi lawe ufanane laso.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Phendula isithutha ngokobuthutha baso, hlezi sibe ngesihlakaniphileyo emehlweni aso.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Othumela amazwi ngesandla sesithutha, uquma inyawo, unatha isihluku.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Njengameva enyuka esandleni sesidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11 Njengenja ebuyela emahlanzweni ayongokunjalo isithutha siphinda ubuthutha baso.
As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Uyabona yini umuntu ohlakaniphileyo emehlweni akhe? Kulethemba elikhulu esithutheni kulaye.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Olivila uthi: Kulesilwane endleleni; isilwane sisezitaladeni.
The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14 Isivalo siphenduka ngamabhanti aso, ngokunjalo ivila embhedeni walo.
[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Ivila lifihla isandla salo emganwini, liyavilapha ukusibuyisela emlonyeni walo.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 Ivila lihlakaniphile emehlweni alo okwedlula abayisikhombisa abangaphendula ngenhlakanipho.
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
17 Odlulayo engenela ingxabano engeyisiyo eyakhe ungobamba indlebe zenja.
He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Njengohlanya oluphosa izikhuni ezivuthayo, imitshoko, lokufa,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 unjalo umuntu okhohlisa umakhelwane wakhe, abesesithi: Kangisomi yini?
so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20 Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21 Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 Ozondayo uyazenzisa ngezindebe zakhe, kodwa ufaka inkohliso ngaphakathi kwakhe.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25 Lapho esenza ilizwi lakhe libe ngelomusa, ungamkholwa, ngoba izinengiso eziyisikhombisa zisenhliziyweni yakhe.
when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Inzondo isibekelwa ngenkohliso; ububi bakhe buzakwembulwa ebandleni.
Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
27 Ogebhayo umgodi uzawela kuwo, logiqa ilitshe, lizabuyela kuye.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Ulimi lwamanga luzonda olubachobozayo, lomlomo obutshelezi usebenza incithakalo.
A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
