Izaga 29
1 Umuntu othi ekhuzwa kanengi aqinise intamo, uzahle ephulwe, njalo kungabi lakusiliswa.
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
2 Lapho abalungileyo besanda, abantu bayathokoza, kodwa lapho okhohlakeleyo ebusa, abantu bayabubula.
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 Umuntu othanda inhlakanipho uthokozisa uyise, kodwa ohlanganyela lamawule uchitha inotho.
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 Inkosi iqinisa ilizwe ngesahlulelo, kodwa umuntu wezipho uyalichitha.
By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
5 Umuntu olalisa ngolimi umakhelwane wakhe wendlalela izinyawo zakhe imbule.
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 Esiphambekweni somuntu omubi kulomjibila, kodwa olungileyo uyamemeza ngenjabulo ethokoza.
An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.
7 Olungileyo uyalwazi udaba lwabayanga; okhohlakeleyo kananzeleli ulwazi.
The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
8 Abantu abadelelayo bayawuthungela umuzi, kodwa abahlakaniphileyo badedisa ulaka.
Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.
9 Umuntu ohlakaniphileyo emangalelana lomuntu oyisithutha, loba elolaka, loba ehleka, kakulakuthula.
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
10 Abantu abomele igazi bazonda opheleleyo, kodwa abaqotho badinga umphefumulo wakhe.
Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.
11 Isithutha sikhupha umoya waso wonke, kodwa ohlakaniphileyo uyawuthiba.
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
12 Umbusi olalela amazwi amanga, zonke izinceku zakhe zikhohlakele.
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
13 Umyanga lomuntu wencindezelo bayahlangana; iNkosi ikhanyisa amehlo abo bobabili.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 Inkosi eyahlulela abayanga ngothembeko, isihlalo sayo sobukhosi sizamiswa phakade.
A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.
15 Uswazi lokukhuza kunika inhlakanipho, kodwa umntwana oyekelelwayo uthelela unina inhloni.
A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16 Lapho abakhohlakeleyo besanda, isiphambeko siyanda, kodwa abalungileyo bazabona ukuwa kwabo.
When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Laya indodana yakho, izakuphumuza; yebo, izanika izinjabulo emphefumulweni wakho.
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Lapho okungelambono khona, abantu babengabambeki; kodwa ubusisiwe ogcina umlayo.
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
19 Inceku kayilaywa ngamazwi; lanxa iqedisisa, kayiyikuphendula.
A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Uyambona yini umuntu ophangisa ngamazwi akhe? Kulethemba elingcono esithutheni kulaye.
Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Ototoza inceku yakhe kusukela ebuntwaneni, ekucineni izakuba yindodana kuye.
A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
22 Umuntu ololaka ubanga ukuxabana, lomuntu ovutha intukuthelo wandisa isiphambeko.
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23 Ukuzigqaja komuntu kuzamehlisa, kodwa olomoya othobekileyo uzabamba udumo.
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 Owabelana lesela uzonda umphefumulo wakhe; uzwa isiqalekiso, angakhulumi.
A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.
25 Ukwesaba abantu kuletha umjibila, kodwa othemba eNkosini uzabekwa phezulu evikelekile.
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
26 Abanengi badinga ubuso bombusi, kodwa isahlulelo salowo lalowo sivela eNkosini.
Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.
27 Umuntu ongalunganga uyisinengiso kwabalungileyo, kodwa oqotho endleleni uyisinengiso kokhohlakeleyo.
An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
