Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
Amazwi enkosi uLemuweli, amazwi enhlakanipho awafundiswa ngunina:
2 What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
Oh, ndodana yami! Oh ndodana yethumbu lami! Oh, ndodana yezifungo zami,
3 Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
ungadlalisi amandla akho ebafazini, izifutho zakho kulabo abadiliza amakhosi.
4 Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
Kakusikho kwamakhosi, bakithi Lemuweli kakusikho kwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kakusikho kwababusi ukunxwanela utshwala,
5 For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
funa badakwe bakhohlwe izimiso zomthetho, behluleke ukumisela kuhle abahluphekayo amalungelo abo.
6 Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
Phana utshwala kulabo abavele sebezifele, iwayini kulabo abalosizi olukhulu;
7 Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
kabanathe bakhohlwe ubuyanga babo bakhohlwe nya usizi lwabo.
8 Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
Bamele labo abehlulekayo ukuzikhulumela, uwamele amalungelo alabo abangelalutho.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Khuluma njalo wahlulele ngokulunga; alwele amalungelo abayanga labaswelayo.
10 Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
Ngubani na ongathola umfazi olesimilo? Uligugu elidlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
11 Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
Indoda yakhe iyamthemba ngokupheleleyo njalo kayisweli lutho oluqakathekileyo.
12 She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
Uyenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, empilweni yakhe yonke.
13 She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
Uyakhetha kuhle iwulu lesikusha akweluke kuhle ngezandla ezikhutheleyo.
14 Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
Unjengemikhumbi yabathengisi, eletha ukudla okuvela kude.
15 She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
Uvuka ekuseni kusesemnyama; alungisele abomuzi wakhe ukudla abele lezincekukazi zakhe.
16 She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
Uyayihlolisisa insimu mandulo kokuyithenga; ngalokho akuzuzayo uyahlanyela isivini sakhe.
17 She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
Uwubamba ngokukhuthala umsebenzi wakhe; aqinise izingalo zakhe emsebenzini.
18 She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kulenzuzo, lokuthi isibane sakhe kasicimi ebusuku.
19 She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
Uphatha uluthi lokuphotha ngesandla sakhe abesebamba ngeminwe yakhe isigudugudu sokweluka.
20 She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
Welulela izandla zakhe kubayanga njalo ulezandla ezilula kwabaswelayo.
21 She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
Lapho kukhithika ungqwaqwane, kalakwesaba ngabendlu yakhe; ngoba bonke bagqoke ezibomvu.
22 She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
Wendlala amalembu ombheda wakhe; agqoke ilineni elihle lezigqoko eziyibubende.
23 Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
Indoda yakhe iyahlonitshwa enkundleni lapho efika ihlale khona ndawonye labadala belizwe.
24 She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
Uthunga izigqoko zelineni azithengise, abathengi bemigaxo bayizuza kuye.
25 She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
Wembethe amandla lesithunzi; uyahleka loba kusiza insuku ezimbi.
26 She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
Ukhuluma ngenhlakanipho, lezeluleko eziqondileyo zisolimini lwakhe.
27 She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
Unqinekela ezomuzi wakhe njalo kadli isinkwa sobuvila.
28 Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
Abantwabakhe bayambonga bathi ubusisiwe; lendoda yakhe layo iyamdumisa ithi,
29 “Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
“Banengi abafazi abenza izimangaliso zobuhle, kodwa wena uyabedlula bonke.”
30 Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Ukubukeka kuyakhohlisa, lobuhle buyaphela; kodwa umfazi owesaba uThixo kadunyiswe.
31 Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
Kaphiwe umvuzo wobuhle abenzayo, imisebenzi yakhe imlethele udumo enkundleni.
