Izaga 28
1 Ababi babaleka kungekho umzingeli, kodwa abalungileyo balesibindi njengebhongo lesilwane.
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 Ngesiphambeko sesizwe ababusi baso banengi; kodwa ngomuntu olokuqedisisa ololwazi ukuqonda kwaso kuyelulwa.
A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
3 Umuntu ongumyanga ocindezela abayanga ulizulu elikhukhulayo ukuze kungabi lokudla.
A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 Abadela umlayo badumisa ababi, kodwa labo abagcina umlayo balwa labo.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
5 Abantu ababi kabaqedisisi ukulunga, kodwa abadinga iNkosi baqedisisa konke.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
6 Kungcono umyanga ohamba ngobuqotho bakhe kulophambene ngezindlela lanxa enothile.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
7 Ogcina umlayo uyindodana eqedisisayo, kodwa ozihlanganisa lezigangi uyangisa uyise.
A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 Owandisa inotho yakhe ngenzalo langenzuzo uyibuthela olomusa kubayanga.
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
9 Ophambula indlebe yakhe ekulaleleni umlayo, lomkhuleko wakhe uzakuba yisinengiso.
Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 Oduhisela abaqotho endleleni embi yena uzawela emgodini wakhe, kodwa abaqotho bazakudla ilifa lokuhle.
He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
11 Indoda enothileyo ihlakaniphile emehlweni ayo, kodwa umyanga oqedisisayo uzayihlola.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
12 Lapho abalungileyo bethokoza, kulenkazimulo enkulu; kodwa nxa ababi bephakama, umuntu uyadingwa.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 Osibekela iziphambeko zakhe kayikuphumelela, kodwa ozivumayo azitshiye, uzahawukelwa.
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
14 Ubusisiwe umuntu owesaba njalonjalo, kodwa owenza inhliziyo yakhe ibe lukhuni uzawela ebubini.
Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 Umbusi okhohlakeleyo phezu kwabantu abangabayanga uyisilwane esibhongayo lebhere elizingelayo.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 Umbusi oswele ukuqedisisa konke wandisa lencindezelo; ozonda inzuzo embi uzakwelula insuku.
A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
17 Umuntu ocindezelwe ligazi lomphefumulo uzabalekela emgodini; kabangamsekeli.
A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
18 Ohamba ngobuqotho uzasindiswa, kodwa ophambene ngendlela ezimbili uzahle awe.
He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 Olima umhlaba wakhe uzasutha ukudla, kodwa olandela abayize uzasutha ubuyanga.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 Umuntu wothembeko lonke uzavama ngezibusiso, kodwa ophangisa ukunotha kayikuba msulwa.
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 Ukuhlonipha ubuso kakulunganga, ngoba umuntu uzakona ngenxa yocezu lwesinkwa.
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 Ophangisa ukunotha ungumuntu olelihlo elibi, njalo engazi ukuthi ubuyanga buzamehlela.
A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
23 Okhuza umuntu uzathola umusa emuva okwedlula okhohlisayo ngolimi.
He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 Ophanga uyise kumbe unina, athi: Akusiso isiphambeko; ungumngane womchithi.
He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
25 Ongasuthisekiyo udunga ingxabano, kodwa othemba eNkosini uzakhuluphaliswa.
A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 Othemba enhliziyweni yakhe uyisithutha, kodwa ohamba ngenhlakanipho uzakhululwa.
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27 Opha umyanga kayikuswela, kodwa ofihla amehlo akhe uzakuba leziqalekiso ezinengi.
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
28 Nxa abakhohlakeleyo bephakanyiswa, umuntu uyacatsha, kodwa nxa bebhubha, abalungileyo bayanda.
When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
