Izaga 29
1 Umuntu othi ekhuzwa kanengi aqinise intamo, uzahle ephulwe, njalo kungabi lakusiliswa.
He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2 Lapho abalungileyo besanda, abantu bayathokoza, kodwa lapho okhohlakeleyo ebusa, abantu bayabubula.
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 Umuntu othanda inhlakanipho uthokozisa uyise, kodwa ohlanganyela lamawule uchitha inotho.
Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 Inkosi iqinisa ilizwe ngesahlulelo, kodwa umuntu wezipho uyalichitha.
The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
5 Umuntu olalisa ngolimi umakhelwane wakhe wendlalela izinyawo zakhe imbule.
A man who flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.
6 Esiphambekweni somuntu omubi kulomjibila, kodwa olungileyo uyamemeza ngenjabulo ethokoza.
An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
7 Olungileyo uyalwazi udaba lwabayanga; okhohlakeleyo kananzeleli ulwazi.
The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
8 Abantu abadelelayo bayawuthungela umuzi, kodwa abahlakaniphileyo badedisa ulaka.
Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9 Umuntu ohlakaniphileyo emangalelana lomuntu oyisithutha, loba elolaka, loba ehleka, kakulakuthula.
If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 Abantu abomele igazi bazonda opheleleyo, kodwa abaqotho badinga umphefumulo wakhe.
The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
11 Isithutha sikhupha umoya waso wonke, kodwa ohlakaniphileyo uyawuthiba.
A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
12 Umbusi olalela amazwi amanga, zonke izinceku zakhe zikhohlakele.
If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
13 Umyanga lomuntu wencindezelo bayahlangana; iNkosi ikhanyisa amehlo abo bobabili.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 Inkosi eyahlulela abayanga ngothembeko, isihlalo sayo sobukhosi sizamiswa phakade.
The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
15 Uswazi lokukhuza kunika inhlakanipho, kodwa umntwana oyekelelwayo uthelela unina inhloni.
The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16 Lapho abakhohlakeleyo besanda, isiphambeko siyanda, kodwa abalungileyo bazabona ukuwa kwabo.
When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Laya indodana yakho, izakuphumuza; yebo, izanika izinjabulo emphefumulweni wakho.
Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Lapho okungelambono khona, abantu babengabambeki; kodwa ubusisiwe ogcina umlayo.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the Torah is blessed.
19 Inceku kayilaywa ngamazwi; lanxa iqedisisa, kayiyikuphendula.
A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
20 Uyambona yini umuntu ophangisa ngamazwi akhe? Kulethemba elingcono esithutheni kulaye.
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Ototoza inceku yakhe kusukela ebuntwaneni, ekucineni izakuba yindodana kuye.
He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
22 Umuntu ololaka ubanga ukuxabana, lomuntu ovutha intukuthelo wandisa isiphambeko.
An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23 Ukuzigqaja komuntu kuzamehlisa, kodwa olomoya othobekileyo uzabamba udumo.
A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honour.
24 Owabelana lesela uzonda umphefumulo wakhe; uzwa isiqalekiso, angakhulumi.
Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25 Ukwesaba abantu kuletha umjibila, kodwa othemba eNkosini uzabekwa phezulu evikelekile.
The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD is kept safe.
26 Abanengi badinga ubuso bombusi, kodwa isahlulelo salowo lalowo sivela eNkosini.
Many seek the ruler’s favour, but a man’s justice comes from the LORD.
27 Umuntu ongalunganga uyisinengiso kwabalungileyo, kodwa oqotho endleleni uyisinengiso kokhohlakeleyo.
A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.
