Izaga 18
1 Ozehlukanisayo udinga okuloyisekayo kwakhe; ufohlela inhlakanipho yonke.
He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom.
2 Isithutha kasithokozi ekuqedisiseni, kodwa ukuze inhliziyo yaso iziveze.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Lapho okhohlakeleyo esiza, kuza lokudelela, njalo kanye lenhloni, ihlazo.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh reproach.
4 Amazwi omlomo womuntu angamanzi azikileyo; umthombo wenhlakanipho uyisifula esigobhozayo.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5 Kakulunganga ukwemukela ubuso bokhohlakeleyo, ukuphambula olungileyo kusahlulelo.
To accept the person of the wicked is not good, [nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 Indebe zesithutha zingena enkanini, lomlomo waso ubiza imivimvinya.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 Umlomo wesithutha uyintshabalalo yaso, lendebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Lolivila emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo womchithi.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 Ibizo leNkosi lingumphotshongo oqinileyo; olungileyo uzagijimela kuwo amiswe phezulu evikelekile.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 Inotho yesinothi ingumuzi waso oqinileyo, lanjengomthangala ophakemeyo ekucabangeni kwaso.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own imagination.
12 Mandulo kokubhujiswa inhliziyo yomuntu iyaziphakamisa, njalo mandulo kodumo kulokuthobeka.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [goeth] humility.
13 Ophendula indaba engakezwa, kuyibuwula kuye, lehlazo.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 Umoya womuntu uzasekela ukugula kwakhe, kodwa umoya owephukileyo, ngubani ongawuthwala?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 Inhliziyo yoqedisisayo izuza ulwazi, lendlebe yabahlakaniphileyo idinga ulwazi.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Isipho somuntu siyamvulela ngokubanzi, simkhokhelela phambi kwabakhulu.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 Ongowokuqala ecaleni lakhe ubonakala elungile, kodwa umakhelwane wakhe ufika amhlole.
He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
18 Inkatho iqeda izingxabano, yehlukanise phakathi kwabalamandla.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 Umzalwane owoniweyo wedlula umuzi oqinileyo, lengxabano zinjengomgoqo wenqaba.
A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 Isisu somuntu siyasuthiswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe, uzasuthiswa yinzuzo yendebe zakhe.
A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21 Ukufa lempilo kusesandleni solimi; labaluthandayo bazakudla isithelo salo.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Othole umfazi uthole okuhle, uzuze umusa eNkosini.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 Umyanga uyakhuluma ngokuncenga, kodwa isinothi siphendula izinto ezilukhuni.
The poor useth entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Umuntu wabangane abanengi uzachitheka, kodwa kulomngane onamathela kuleselamani.
He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
