Izaga 26
1 Njengeliqhwa elikhithikileyo ehlobo lanjengezulu ngesikhathi sokuvuna, ngokunjalo udumo kalusifanelanga isithutha.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 Njengenyoni ekuzulazuleni, njengenkonjane ekuphapheni, ngokunjalo isiqalekiso kungelasizatho kasiyikufika.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 Isiswepu ngesebhiza, itomu ngelikababhemi, loswazi ngolomhlana wezithutha.
A whip is 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.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal 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 choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Njengameva enyuka esandleni sesidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Njengenja ebuyela emahlanzweni ayongokunjalo isithutha siphinda ubuthutha baso.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Uyabona yini umuntu ohlakaniphileyo emehlweni akhe? Kulethemba elikhulu esithutheni kulaye.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 Olivila uthi: Kulesilwane endleleni; isilwane sisezitaladeni.
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Isivalo siphenduka ngamabhanti aso, ngokunjalo ivila embhedeni walo.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Ivila lifihla isandla salo emganwini, liyavilapha ukusibuyisela emlonyeni walo.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 Ivila lihlakaniphile emehlweni alo okwedlula abayisikhombisa abangaphendula ngenhlakanipho.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Odlulayo engenela ingxabano engeyisiyo eyakhe ungobamba indlebe zenja.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Njengohlanya oluphosa izikhuni ezivuthayo, imitshoko, lokufa,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 unjalo umuntu okhohlisa umakhelwane wakhe, abesesithi: Kangisomi yini?
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 Ozondayo uyazenzisa ngezindebe zakhe, kodwa ufaka inkohliso ngaphakathi kwakhe.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Lapho esenza ilizwi lakhe libe ngelomusa, ungamkholwa, ngoba izinengiso eziyisikhombisa zisenhliziyweni yakhe.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Inzondo isibekelwa ngenkohliso; ububi bakhe buzakwembulwa ebandleni.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Ogebhayo umgodi uzawela kuwo, logiqa ilitshe, lizabuyela kuye.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 Ulimi lwamanga luzonda olubachobozayo, lomlomo obutshelezi usebenza incithakalo.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
