Izaga 26
1 Njengeliqhwa elikhithikileyo ehlobo lanjengezulu ngesikhathi sokuvuna, ngokunjalo udumo kalusifanelanga isithutha.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 Njengenyoni ekuzulazuleni, njengenkonjane ekuphapheni, ngokunjalo isiqalekiso kungelasizatho kasiyikufika.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless 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 fool's back.
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 conceit.
6 Othumela amazwi ngesandla sesithutha, uquma inyawo, unatha isihluku.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, 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 parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
The great Elohim that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 Njengenja ebuyela emahlanzweni ayongokunjalo isithutha siphinda ubuthutha baso.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Uyabona yini umuntu ohlakaniphileyo emehlweni akhe? Kulethemba elikhulu esithutheni kulaye.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is 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; a lion is in the streets.
14 Isivalo siphenduka ngamabhanti aso, ngokunjalo ivila embhedeni walo.
As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Ivila lifihla isandla salo emganwini, liyavilapha ukusibuyisela emlonyeni walo.
The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 Ivila lihlakaniphile emehlweni alo okwedlula abayisikhombisa abangaphendula ngenhlakanipho.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 Odlulayo engenela ingxabano engeyisiyo eyakhe ungobamba indlebe zenja.
He that passeth by, and meddleth 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 mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 unjalo umuntu okhohlisa umakhelwane wakhe, abesesithi: Kangisomi yini?
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 Ozondayo uyazenzisa ngezindebe zakhe, kodwa ufaka inkohliso ngaphakathi kwakhe.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 Lapho esenza ilizwi lakhe libe ngelomusa, ungamkholwa, ngoba izinengiso eziyisikhombisa zisenhliziyweni yakhe.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Inzondo isibekelwa ngenkohliso; ububi bakhe buzakwembulwa ebandleni.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27 Ogebhayo umgodi uzawela kuwo, logiqa ilitshe, lizabuyela kuye.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 Ulimi lwamanga luzonda olubachobozayo, lomlomo obutshelezi usebenza incithakalo.
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
