Izaga 28
1 Ababi babaleka kungekho umzingeli, kodwa abalungileyo balesibindi njengebhongo lesilwane.
The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 Ngesiphambeko sesizwe ababusi baso banengi; kodwa ngomuntu olokuqedisisa ololwazi ukuqonda kwaso kuyelulwa.
In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3 Umuntu ongumyanga ocindezela abayanga ulizulu elikhukhulayo ukuze kungabi lokudla.
A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 Abadela umlayo badumisa ababi, kodwa labo abagcina umlayo balwa labo.
Those who forsake the Torah praise the wicked; but those who keep the Torah contend with them.
5 Abantu ababi kabaqedisisi ukulunga, kodwa abadinga iNkosi baqedisisa konke.
Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 Kungcono umyanga ohamba ngobuqotho bakhe kulophambene ngezindlela lanxa enothile.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 Ogcina umlayo uyindodana eqedisisayo, kodwa ozihlanganisa lezigangi uyangisa uyise.
Whoever keeps the Torah is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Owandisa inotho yakhe ngenzalo langenzuzo uyibuthela olomusa kubayanga.
He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9 Ophambula indlebe yakhe ekulaleleni umlayo, lomkhuleko wakhe uzakuba yisinengiso.
He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Oduhisela abaqotho endleleni embi yena uzawela emgodini wakhe, kodwa abaqotho bazakudla ilifa lokuhle.
Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
11 Indoda enothileyo ihlakaniphile emehlweni ayo, kodwa umyanga oqedisisayo uzayihlola.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 Lapho abalungileyo bethokoza, kulenkazimulo enkulu; kodwa nxa ababi bephakama, umuntu uyadingwa.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 Osibekela iziphambeko zakhe kayikuphumelela, kodwa ozivumayo azitshiye, uzahawukelwa.
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Ubusisiwe umuntu owesaba njalonjalo, kodwa owenza inhliziyo yakhe ibe lukhuni uzawela ebubini.
Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 Umbusi okhohlakeleyo phezu kwabantu abangabayanga uyisilwane esibhongayo lebhere elizingelayo.
As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 Umbusi oswele ukuqedisisa konke wandisa lencindezelo; ozonda inzuzo embi uzakwelula insuku.
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgement. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17 Umuntu ocindezelwe ligazi lomphefumulo uzabalekela emgodini; kabangamsekeli.
A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
18 Ohamba ngobuqotho uzasindiswa, kodwa ophambene ngendlela ezimbili uzahle awe.
Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 Olima umhlaba wakhe uzasutha ukudla, kodwa olandela abayize uzasutha ubuyanga.
One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 Umuntu wothembeko lonke uzavama ngezibusiso, kodwa ophangisa ukunotha kayikuba msulwa.
A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 Ukuhlonipha ubuso kakulunganga, ngoba umuntu uzakona ngenxa yocezu lwesinkwa.
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 Ophangisa ukunotha ungumuntu olelihlo elibi, njalo engazi ukuthi ubuyanga buzamehlela.
A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23 Okhuza umuntu uzathola umusa emuva okwedlula okhohlisayo ngolimi.
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favour than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Ophanga uyise kumbe unina, athi: Akusiso isiphambeko; ungumngane womchithi.
Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25 Ongasuthisekiyo udunga ingxabano, kodwa othemba eNkosini uzakhuluphaliswa.
One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 Othemba enhliziyweni yakhe uyisithutha, kodwa ohamba ngenhlakanipho uzakhululwa.
One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 Opha umyanga kayikuswela, kodwa ofihla amehlo akhe uzakuba leziqalekiso ezinengi.
One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28 Nxa abakhohlakeleyo bephakanyiswa, umuntu uyacatsha, kodwa nxa bebhubha, abalungileyo bayanda.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
