Izaga 28
1 Ababi babaleka kungekho umzingeli, kodwa abalungileyo balesibindi njengebhongo lesilwane.
The wicked flee when no one pursueth; But the righteous is as bold as a lion.
2 Ngesiphambeko sesizwe ababusi baso banengi; kodwa ngomuntu olokuqedisisa ololwazi ukuqonda kwaso kuyelulwa.
Through the transgression of a land many are its rulers; But through men of prudence and understanding the prince shall live long.
3 Umuntu ongumyanga ocindezela abayanga ulizulu elikhukhulayo ukuze kungabi lokudla.
A poor man who oppresseth the needy Is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Abadela umlayo badumisa ababi, kodwa labo abagcina umlayo balwa labo.
They who forsake the law praise the wicked; But they who keep the law contend with them.
5 Abantu ababi kabaqedisisi ukulunga, kodwa abadinga iNkosi baqedisisa konke.
Wicked men understand not equity; But they who seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Kungcono umyanga ohamba ngobuqotho bakhe kulophambene ngezindlela lanxa enothile.
Better is a poor man who walketh in uprightness, Than he who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Ogcina umlayo uyindodana eqedisisayo, kodwa ozihlanganisa lezigangi uyangisa uyise.
He that keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is the companion of prodigals bringeth shame on his father.
8 Owandisa inotho yakhe ngenzalo langenzuzo uyibuthela olomusa kubayanga.
He that increaseth his substance by usurious gain Gathereth it for him who will pity the poor.
9 Ophambula indlebe yakhe ekulaleleni umlayo, lomkhuleko wakhe uzakuba yisinengiso.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be an abomination.
10 Oduhisela abaqotho endleleni embi yena uzawela emgodini wakhe, kodwa abaqotho bazakudla ilifa lokuhle.
He that causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way Shall himself fall into his own pit; But the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 Indoda enothileyo ihlakaniphile emehlweni ayo, kodwa umyanga oqedisisayo uzayihlola.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor man, who hath understanding, will search him through.
12 Lapho abalungileyo bethokoza, kulenkazimulo enkulu; kodwa nxa ababi bephakama, umuntu uyadingwa.
When the righteous rejoice, there is great glorying; But, when the wicked are exalted, men hide themselves.
13 Osibekela iziphambeko zakhe kayikuphumelela, kodwa ozivumayo azitshiye, uzahawukelwa.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; But he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Ubusisiwe umuntu owesaba njalonjalo, kodwa owenza inhliziyo yakhe ibe lukhuni uzawela ebubini.
Happy the man who feareth always! But he who hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 Umbusi okhohlakeleyo phezu kwabantu abangabayanga uyisilwane esibhongayo lebhere elizingelayo.
As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, So is a wicked ruler over a needy people.
16 Umbusi oswele ukuqedisisa konke wandisa lencindezelo; ozonda inzuzo embi uzakwelula insuku.
The prince who is weak in understanding is great in oppression; But he who hateth unjust gain shall prolong his days.
17 Umuntu ocindezelwe ligazi lomphefumulo uzabalekela emgodini; kabangamsekeli.
A man who is burdened with life-blood—Let him flee to the pit! let no man stay him!
18 Ohamba ngobuqotho uzasindiswa, kodwa ophambene ngendlela ezimbili uzahle awe.
He who walketh uprightly shall be safe; But he who is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 Olima umhlaba wakhe uzasutha ukudla, kodwa olandela abayize uzasutha ubuyanga.
He who tilleth his land shall have bread enough; And he that followeth after worthless persons shall have poverty enough.
20 Umuntu wothembeko lonke uzavama ngezibusiso, kodwa ophangisa ukunotha kayikuba msulwa.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.
21 Ukuhlonipha ubuso kakulunganga, ngoba umuntu uzakona ngenxa yocezu lwesinkwa.
To have respect to persons is not good; Since for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 Ophangisa ukunotha ungumuntu olelihlo elibi, njalo engazi ukuthi ubuyanga buzamehlela.
He who hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, And considereth not that poverty will come upon him.
23 Okhuza umuntu uzathola umusa emuva okwedlula okhohlisayo ngolimi.
He who rebuketh a man shall afterwards find favor More than he who flattereth with his tongue.
24 Ophanga uyise kumbe unina, athi: Akusiso isiphambeko; ungumngane womchithi.
Whoso stealeth from his father or his mother, And saith, “It is no transgression,” The same is the companion of a robber.
25 Ongasuthisekiyo udunga ingxabano, kodwa othemba eNkosini uzakhuluphaliswa.
He who is of a proud heart stirreth up strife; But he that trusteth in the LORD shall be rich.
26 Othemba enhliziyweni yakhe uyisithutha, kodwa ohamba ngenhlakanipho uzakhululwa.
He who trusteth in his own understanding is a fool; But he who walketh wisely shall be delivered.
27 Opha umyanga kayikuswela, kodwa ofihla amehlo akhe uzakuba leziqalekiso ezinengi.
He who giveth to the poor shall not want; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 Nxa abakhohlakeleyo bephakanyiswa, umuntu uyacatsha, kodwa nxa bebhubha, abalungileyo bayanda.
When the wicked are exalted, men hide themselves; But, when they perish, the righteous increase.
