Izaga 26
1 Njengeliqhwa elikhithikileyo ehlobo lanjengezulu ngesikhathi sokuvuna, ngokunjalo udumo kalusifanelanga isithutha.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 Njengenyoni ekuzulazuleni, njengenkonjane ekuphapheni, ngokunjalo isiqalekiso kungelasizatho kasiyikufika.
As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3 Isiswepu ngesebhiza, itomu ngelikababhemi, loswazi ngolomhlana wezithutha.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an 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 be made like him.
5 Phendula isithutha ngokobuthutha baso, hlezi sibe ngesihlakaniphileyo emehlweni aso.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 Othumela amazwi ngesandla sesithutha, uquma inyawo, unatha isihluku.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8 Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Njengameva enyuka esandleni sesidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 Njengenja ebuyela emahlanzweni ayongokunjalo isithutha siphinda ubuthutha baso.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Uyabona yini umuntu ohlakaniphileyo emehlweni akhe? Kulethemba elikhulu esithutheni kulaye.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Olivila uthi: Kulesilwane endleleni; isilwane sisezitaladeni.
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 Isivalo siphenduka ngamabhanti aso, ngokunjalo ivila embhedeni walo.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Ivila lifihla isandla salo emganwini, liyavilapha ukusibuyisela emlonyeni walo.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16 Ivila lihlakaniphile emehlweni alo okwedlula abayisikhombisa abangaphendula ngenhlakanipho.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17 Odlulayo engenela ingxabano engeyisiyo eyakhe ungobamba indlebe zenja.
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 Njengohlanya oluphosa izikhuni ezivuthayo, imitshoko, lokufa,
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 unjalo umuntu okhohlisa umakhelwane wakhe, abesesithi: Kangisomi yini?
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 Ozondayo uyazenzisa ngezindebe zakhe, kodwa ufaka inkohliso ngaphakathi kwakhe.
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 Lapho esenza ilizwi lakhe libe ngelomusa, ungamkholwa, ngoba izinengiso eziyisikhombisa zisenhliziyweni yakhe.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 Inzondo isibekelwa ngenkohliso; ububi bakhe buzakwembulwa ebandleni.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 Ogebhayo umgodi uzawela kuwo, logiqa ilitshe, lizabuyela kuye.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 Ulimi lwamanga luzonda olubachobozayo, lomlomo obutshelezi usebenza incithakalo.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
