Izaga 9
1 Inhlakanipho enkulu yakhe indlu yayo, ibaze insika zayo eziyisikhombisa.
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 Ihlabe okuhlatshwayo kwayo, ixubanise iwayini layo, futhi yalungisa itafula layo.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 Ithume incekukazi zayo, iyamemeza engqongeni zendawo eziphakemeyo zomuzi zisithi:
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 Loba ngubani ongelalwazi? Kaphendukele lapha; oswele ingqondo, ithi kuye:
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 Wozani, lidle okwesinkwa sami, linathe okwewayini engilixubanisileyo.
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Yekelani abangelalwazi liphile, lihambe ngokuqonda ngendlela yokuqedisisa.
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
7 Osola isiklolodi uzizuzela ihlazo, lokhuza okhohlakeleyo uzizuzela isici.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Ungasoli isiklolodi, hlezi sikuzonde; sola ohlakaniphileyo, njalo uzakuthanda.
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Nika ohlakaniphileyo, njalo uzakuba lokhu ehlakanipha; fundisa olungileyo, njalo uzakwandisa ukufunda.
Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
10 Ukuyesaba iNkosi kuyikuqala kwenhlakanipho, lolwazi lwabangcwele luyikuqedisisa.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 Ngoba ngami insuku zakho zizakwandiswa, leminyaka yempilo yengezelelwe kuwe.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12 Uba uhlakaniphile, uzakuba uzihlakaniphele; uba ukloloda, uzakuthwala wedwa.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 Owesifazana oyisithutha ulomsindo, kalangqondo, kazi lutho.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 Ngoba uhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni, endaweni eziphakemeyo zomuzi,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 ukubiza abadlulayo ngendlela, abahamba beqondile emikhondweni yabo, esithi:
to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16 Loba ngubani ongelalwazi? Kaphendukele lapha; loswele ingqondo, uthi kuye:
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 Amanzi ebiweyo amnandi, lesinkwa sensitha siyahlabusa.
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
