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 sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.
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 conceit.
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 in damage.
7 Imilenze yesiqhuli iyalengalenga; sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Njengokubophela ilitshe esavutheni, unjalo onika udumo esithutheni.
As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Njengameva enyuka esandleni sesidakwa sinjalo isaga emlonyeni wezithutha.
[As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.
10 Omkhulu owabumba konke uvuza isithutha, avuze abadlulayo.
[As] an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11 Njengenja ebuyela emahlanzweni ayongokunjalo isithutha siphinda ubuthutha baso.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [so is] a fool that 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 sluggard 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 its hinges, so doth 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.
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] 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 the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Uba kungelankuni umlilo uyacitsha; njalo uba kungelakunyeya, ukuxabana kuyathula.
For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 Njengamalahle emalahleni avuthayo, lenkuni emlilweni, unjalo umuntu wenkani ngowokubasa ingxabano.
[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Indebe ezivuthayo lenhliziyo embi kungamanyele esiliva ahuqa ukhamba.
Fervent lips and a wicked heart are [like] 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 he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:
26 Inzondo isibekelwa ngenkohliso; ububi bakhe buzakwembulwa ebandleni.
Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before 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 whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
