Use Good Sense
1 If you keep being stubborn
after many warnings,
you will suddenly discover
you have gone too far.
2 When justice rules a nation,
everyone is glad;
when injustice rules,
everyone groans.
3 If you love wisdom
your parents will be glad,
but chasing after bad women
will cost you everything.
4 An honest ruler
makes the nation strong;
a ruler who takes bribes
will bring it to ruin.
5 Flattery is nothing less
than setting a trap.
6 Your sins will catch you,
but everyone who lives right
will sing and celebrate.
7 The wicked don't care
about the rights of the poor,
but good people do.
8 Sneering at others is a spark
that sets a city on fire;
using good sense can put out
the flames of anger.
9 Be wise and don't sue a fool.
You won't get satisfaction,
because all the fool will do
is sneer and shout.
10 A murderer hates everyone
who is honest
and lives right.
11 Don't be a fool
and quickly lose your temper—
be sensible and patient.
12 A ruler who listens to lies
will have corrupt officials.
13 The poor and all who abuse them
must each depend on God
for light.
14 Kings who are fair to the poor
will rule a long time.
15 Correct your children,
and they will be wise;
children out of control
disgrace their mothers.
16 Crime increases
when crooks are in power,
but law-abiding citizens
will see them fall.
17 If you correct your children,
they will bring you peace
and happiness.
18 Without guidance from God
law and order disappear,
but God blesses everyone
who obeys his Law.
19 Even when servants are smart,
it takes more than words
to make them obey.
20 There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks
without thinking.
21 Slaves that you treat kindly
from their childhood
will cause you sorrow.
22 A person with a quick temper
stirs up arguments
and commits a lot of sins.
23 Too much pride brings disgrace;
humility leads to honor.
24 If you take part in a crime
you are your worst enemy,
because even under oath
you can't tell the truth.
25 Don't fall into the trap
of being a coward—
trust the Lord,
and you will be safe.
26 Many try to make friends
with a ruler,
but justice comes
from the Lord.
27 Good people and criminals
can't stand each other.
1 Ngu ririra ko otjirangaranga aruhe tji ma vyurwa, eyuva rimwe eye ma ṱukuṱurwa nu kamaa veruka.
2 Ovandu ovasemba tji ve ri mounane, otjiwaṋa tji nyanda, nungwari ovanauvi tji mave honapara, otjiwaṋa tji tjema.
3 Omundu ngwa suvera ounongo u yorokisa ihe, nungwari ingwi ngu kara motuvakiro u nanisa outumbe we.
4 Ombara i zikamisa ehi mokutjita ousemba, nungwari oyo tji mai ṋiṋikiza ovandu okusuta otjisuta tjouhona, i nyona ehi.
5 Omundu ngu pukisa omukwao u mu yarera ombate.
6 Omunauvi u patwa i ouvi we omuini, nungwari omusemba u nyanda na yoroka.
7 Omusemba u tjiwa otjiposa tjovasyona, nungwari omunauvi ke tji tjiwa.
8 Ovanyekerere ve zunganisa otjihuro, nungwari ozonongo ze wisa omazenge pehi.
9 Omunazondunge tje notjiposa kuna eyova, eyova ri yora nokurokoha nokuhinokumwina.
10 Ovazepe va tonda omuhinandjo, nungwari ovandu ovaṱakame ve yama omuinyo we.
11 Eyova ri pitisa omazenge waro aehe, nungwari omunazondunge u kara nomuretima nu u ye tjaera.
12 Omuhonapare tje puratena komahongonona wovizeze, ovemukarere avehe mave rire ovanauvi.
13 Omusyona nomumuṋiṋikize ivemwe motjiṋa hi: Aveyevari Muhona we ve pa omeho okumuna na wo.
14 Ombara ndji tjita ousemba kovasyona, mai honapara oruveze orure.
15 Oruhongwe nomavyuriro vi yandja ounongo, nungwari omuatje ngu ha tumburwa u ṱisa ina ohoṋi.
16 Ovanauvi tji mave honapara ourunde u takavarera ko wina; nungwari ovasemba ve nyandera okumuna omawiro wawo.
17 Vyura omuatje woye omuzandu, neye ma yandja orusuvo nenyando komuinyo woye.
18 Pu pe hi nomavandururiro wembo ra Muhona, otjiwaṋa tji rangaranga; nungwari omuṋingandu ingwi ngu ṱakamisa omatwako wa Ndjambi!
19 O rongo omukarere nomambo porwe, orondu nangarire kutja eye rumwe me ku zuu, tjandje ke nokurikenda nomambo nga.
20 Ku nomaundjiro omengi keyova okukapita omundu ngu hakahana okuhungira nokuhinokuripura.
21 Tji wa yandja oviṋa ngamwa avihe komukarere woye okuza kouṱiṱi we, kombunda eye ma ka kakambura avihe.
22 Omundu ngu pindika tjimanga u pendura ozombata; ingwi ngu ṱomazenge u riyetera oviwonga ovingi.
23 Outongatima womundu u mu etera omerisusuparisiro; ingwi ngu risusuparisa omuini u muna ondjozikiro.
24 Ngwe rikuta kuna erunga wa tonda omuinyo we; eye u zuva omasengiro, nungwari keyeserekarere.
25 Okutira ovandu ku ku twa mongwehe; ngwe riyameka ku Muhona u yamwa.
26 Pe novengi mbe paha ondjingonekero yomuhonapare, nungwari ousemba waauhe u za ku Muhona.
27 Omunauvi eye vari omuyaukise komusemba; ingwi ngu ryanga mousemba eye wina omuyaukise komunauvi.
