Izaga 28
1 Ababi babaleka kungekho umzingeli, kodwa abalungileyo balesibindi njengebhongo lesilwane.
The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
2 Ngesiphambeko sesizwe ababusi baso banengi; kodwa ngomuntu olokuqedisisa ololwazi ukuqonda kwaso kuyelulwa.
Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.
3 Umuntu ongumyanga ocindezela abayanga ulizulu elikhukhulayo ukuze kungabi lokudla.
A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
4 Abadela umlayo badumisa ababi, kodwa labo abagcina umlayo balwa labo.
Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
5 Abantu ababi kabaqedisisi ukulunga, kodwa abadinga iNkosi baqedisisa konke.
Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.
6 Kungcono umyanga ohamba ngobuqotho bakhe kulophambene ngezindlela lanxa enothile.
Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
7 Ogcina umlayo uyindodana eqedisisayo, kodwa ozihlanganisa lezigangi uyangisa uyise.
He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
8 Owandisa inotho yakhe ngenzalo langenzuzo uyibuthela olomusa kubayanga.
He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
9 Ophambula indlebe yakhe ekulaleleni umlayo, lomkhuleko wakhe uzakuba yisinengiso.
As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
10 Oduhisela abaqotho endleleni embi yena uzawela emgodini wakhe, kodwa abaqotho bazakudla ilifa lokuhle.
Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.
11 Indoda enothileyo ihlakaniphile emehlweni ayo, kodwa umyanga oqedisisayo uzayihlola.
The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
12 Lapho abalungileyo bethokoza, kulenkazimulo enkulu; kodwa nxa ababi bephakama, umuntu uyadingwa.
When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
13 Osibekela iziphambeko zakhe kayikuphumelela, kodwa ozivumayo azitshiye, uzahawukelwa.
He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
14 Ubusisiwe umuntu owesaba njalonjalo, kodwa owenza inhliziyo yakhe ibe lukhuni uzawela ebubini.
Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
15 Umbusi okhohlakeleyo phezu kwabantu abangabayanga uyisilwane esibhongayo lebhere elizingelayo.
Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
16 Umbusi oswele ukuqedisisa konke wandisa lencindezelo; ozonda inzuzo embi uzakwelula insuku.
The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
17 Umuntu ocindezelwe ligazi lomphefumulo uzabalekela emgodini; kabangamsekeli.
One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.
18 Ohamba ngobuqotho uzasindiswa, kodwa ophambene ngendlela ezimbili uzahle awe.
He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
19 Olima umhlaba wakhe uzasutha ukudla, kodwa olandela abayize uzasutha ubuyanga.
By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
20 Umuntu wothembeko lonke uzavama ngezibusiso, kodwa ophangisa ukunotha kayikuba msulwa.
A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
21 Ukuhlonipha ubuso kakulunganga, ngoba umuntu uzakona ngenxa yocezu lwesinkwa.
It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
22 Ophangisa ukunotha ungumuntu olelihlo elibi, njalo engazi ukuthi ubuyanga buzamehlela.
He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
23 Okhuza umuntu uzathola umusa emuva okwedlula okhohlisayo ngolimi.
He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
24 Ophanga uyise kumbe unina, athi: Akusiso isiphambeko; ungumngane womchithi.
He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.
25 Ongasuthisekiyo udunga ingxabano, kodwa othemba eNkosini uzakhuluphaliswa.
He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
26 Othemba enhliziyweni yakhe uyisithutha, kodwa ohamba ngenhlakanipho uzakhululwa.
He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
27 Opha umyanga kayikuswela, kodwa ofihla amehlo akhe uzakuba leziqalekiso ezinengi.
He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.
28 Nxa abakhohlakeleyo bephakanyiswa, umuntu uyacatsha, kodwa nxa bebhubha, abalungileyo bayanda.
When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
