Izaga 26
1 Njengeliqhwa elikhithikileyo ehlobo lanjengezulu ngesikhathi sokuvuna, ngokunjalo udumo kalusifanelanga isithutha.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
2 Njengenyoni ekuzulazuleni, njengenkonjane ekuphapheni, ngokunjalo isiqalekiso kungelasizatho kasiyikufika.
As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause 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 the fool.
4 Ungaphenduli isithutha ngokobuthutha baso, hlezi lawe ufanane laso.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7 Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Njengameva enyuka esandleni sesidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 Njengenja ebuyela emahlanzweni ayongokunjalo isithutha siphinda ubuthutha baso.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth 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; There is a lion in the streets.”
14 Isivalo siphenduka ngamabhanti aso, ngokunjalo ivila embhedeni walo.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Ivila lifihla isandla salo emganwini, liyavilapha ukusibuyisela emlonyeni walo.
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; 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 who can render a reason.
17 Odlulayo engenela ingxabano engeyisiyo eyakhe ungobamba indlebe zenja.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 Njengohlanya oluphosa izikhuni ezivuthayo, imitshoko, lokufa,
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 unjalo umuntu okhohlisa umakhelwane wakhe, abesesithi: Kangisomi yini?
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 Ozondayo uyazenzisa ngezindebe zakhe, kodwa ufaka inkohliso ngaphakathi kwakhe.
The hater 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.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27 Ogebhayo umgodi uzawela kuwo, logiqa ilitshe, lizabuyela kuye.
He that 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 whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
