Izaga 9
1 Ukuhlakanipha sekuzakhele indlu yakho, imisiwe ngezinsika eziyisikhombisa.
Wisdom has built her house. She has set up her seven pillars.
2 Isiphekiwe inyama yakho kwalungiswa lewayini; konke sekudekiwe etafuleni.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 Usewathumile amantombazana, uyanxusa emi ezindaweni eziphakemeyo zedolobho.
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 “Akuthi bonke abayizithutha beze lapha!” Esitsho kulabo abangaqedisisiyo.
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 “Wozani lidle ukudla kwami linathe iwayini esengililungisile.
"Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed.
6 Lahlani izindlela zenu zobuthutha lizaphila; hambani ngendlela yokuzwisisa.”
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
7 Lowo oweluleka oklolodayo ubiza inhlamba; okhuza umuntu oxhwalileyo ucina ethethiswa.
He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Ungakhuzi isiqholo ngoba sizakuzonda; khuza ohlakaniphileyo uzakuthanda.
Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Yeluleka umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uzakwandisa ukuhlakanipha kwakhe; fundisa umuntu olungileyo, uzakwengeza ulwazi lwakhe.
Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 Ukumesaba uThixo kuyikuqala kwenhlakanipho, njalo ulwazi ngaLowo oNgcwele luyikuqedisisa.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 Ngoba ngami zizakuba zinengi insuku zakho, kwandiswe iminyaka yokuphila kwakho.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12 Nxa uhlakaniphile, ukuhlakanipha kwakho kuzakusiza; aluba uyisiqholo, uzahlupheka wedwa.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 Umfazi othiwa nguBuwula ulomsindo; kagobeki njalo kazi lutho.
The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 Uthanda ukuhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni endaweni esesiqongweni sedolobho,
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 abe ehuga labo abedlulayo, abahamba beqonde lapho abaya khona.
To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16 “Abeze lapha bonke abayizithutha!” Esitsho kulabo abangacabangiyo.
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 “Ulutho lokuntshontshwa lumnandi; ukudla okudlelwa ensitha kuyahlabusa!”
"Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
