Izaga 28
1 Ababi babaleka kungekho umzingeli, kodwa abalungileyo balesibindi njengebhongo lesilwane.
Every wicked fleeth when no man pursueth; but the righteous are like the confident young lion.
2 Ngesiphambeko sesizwe ababusi baso banengi; kodwa ngomuntu olokuqedisisa ololwazi ukuqonda kwaso kuyelulwa.
When there is transgression in a land, it hath many for its princes; but under a man of understanding and knowledge [its] prosperity will long continue.
3 Umuntu ongumyanga ocindezela abayanga ulizulu elikhukhulayo ukuze kungabi lokudla.
A poor man that oppresseth the indigent is like a sweeping rain which bringeth no bread.
4 Abadela umlayo badumisa ababi, kodwa labo abagcina umlayo balwa labo.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as observe the law contend with them.
5 Abantu ababi kabaqedisisi ukulunga, kodwa abadinga iNkosi baqedisisa konke.
Bad men understand not justice; but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
6 Kungcono umyanga ohamba ngobuqotho bakhe kulophambene ngezindlela lanxa enothile.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Ogcina umlayo uyindodana eqedisisayo, kodwa ozihlanganisa lezigangi uyangisa uyise.
Whoso keepeth the law is an intelligent son; but he that is a companion of gluttons bringeth dishonor on his father.
8 Owandisa inotho yakhe ngenzalo langenzuzo uyibuthela olomusa kubayanga.
He that increaseth his wealth by interest and usury will gather it for him that will be kind to the poor.
9 Ophambula indlebe yakhe ekulaleleni umlayo, lomkhuleko wakhe uzakuba yisinengiso.
When one turneth away his ear so as not to listen to the law, even his prayer becometh an abomination.
10 Oduhisela abaqotho endleleni embi yena uzawela emgodini wakhe, kodwa abaqotho bazakudla ilifa lokuhle.
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray on an evil way, will surely fall into his own ditch; but the men of integrity will inherit what is good.
11 Indoda enothileyo ihlakaniphile emehlweni ayo, kodwa umyanga oqedisisayo uzayihlola.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the indigent that hath understanding can search him through.
12 Lapho abalungileyo bethokoza, kulenkazimulo enkulu; kodwa nxa ababi bephakama, umuntu uyadingwa.
When the righteous exult, there is great splendor; but when the wicked rise up, a man hath to be sought for.
13 Osibekela iziphambeko zakhe kayikuphumelela, kodwa ozivumayo azitshiye, uzahawukelwa.
He that concealeth his transgressions will not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them will obtain mercy.
14 Ubusisiwe umuntu owesaba njalonjalo, kodwa owenza inhliziyo yakhe ibe lukhuni uzawela ebubini.
Happy is the man that always dreadeth [to do evil]; but he that hardeneth his heart will fall into unhappiness.
15 Umbusi okhohlakeleyo phezu kwabantu abangabayanga uyisilwane esibhongayo lebhere elizingelayo.
As a roaring lion, and a greedy bear, so is a wicked ruler over an indigent people.
16 Umbusi oswele ukuqedisisa konke wandisa lencindezelo; ozonda inzuzo embi uzakwelula insuku.
The prince that is void of understanding is also a great oppressor; [but] he that hateth unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 Umuntu ocindezelwe ligazi lomphefumulo uzabalekela emgodini; kabangamsekeli.
A man oppressed by the load of having shed human blood will flee even to the pit: let no man hold him.
18 Ohamba ngobuqotho uzasindiswa, kodwa ophambene ngendlela ezimbili uzahle awe.
Whoso walketh in integrity will be saved; but he that walketh perversely on two paths, will fall on one.
19 Olima umhlaba wakhe uzasutha ukudla, kodwa olandela abayize uzasutha ubuyanga.
He that tilleth his ground will have plenty of bread; but he that runneth after idle persons will have enough of poverty.
20 Umuntu wothembeko lonke uzavama ngezibusiso, kodwa ophangisa ukunotha kayikuba msulwa.
A faithful man will abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 Ukuhlonipha ubuso kakulunganga, ngoba umuntu uzakona ngenxa yocezu lwesinkwa.
To have respect to persons is not good; because even for a piece of bread will a man transgress.
22 Ophangisa ukunotha ungumuntu olelihlo elibi, njalo engazi ukuthi ubuyanga buzamehlela.
He that is eager for wealth is a man of an evil eye, and he knoweth not that want will come upon him.
23 Okhuza umuntu uzathola umusa emuva okwedlula okhohlisayo ngolimi.
He that reproveth a man after [my example] will obtain more grace than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Ophanga uyise kumbe unina, athi: Akusiso isiphambeko; ungumngane womchithi.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, it is no transgression, —the same is a companion of a destroyer.
25 Ongasuthisekiyo udunga ingxabano, kodwa othemba eNkosini uzakhuluphaliswa.
He that hath an insatiable desire stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord will be abundantly gratified.
26 Othemba enhliziyweni yakhe uyisithutha, kodwa ohamba ngenhlakanipho uzakhululwa.
He that trusteth in his own sense is a fool; but whoso walketh in wisdom, will ever escape.
27 Opha umyanga kayikuswela, kodwa ofihla amehlo akhe uzakuba leziqalekiso ezinengi.
He that giveth unto the poor will not have any want; but he that hideth his eyes will have an abundance of curses.
28 Nxa abakhohlakeleyo bephakanyiswa, umuntu uyacatsha, kodwa nxa bebhubha, abalungileyo bayanda.
When the wicked rise, men conceal themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
