Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
2 What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
“Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
3 Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
4 Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
“Ee Lemueli, haifai wafalme, haifai wafalme kunywa mvinyo, haifai watawala kutamani sana kileo,
5 For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
wasije wakanywa na kusahau vile sheria inavyoamuru na kuwanyima haki zao wote walioonewa.
6 Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
7 Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
Wanywe na kusahau umaskini wao na wasikumbuke taabu yao tena.
8 Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
“Sema kwa ajili ya wale wasioweza kujisemea, kwa ajili ya haki za wote walioachwa ukiwa.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
10 Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
11 Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
12 She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.
13 She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.
14 Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
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.
Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
16 She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
17 She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.
18 She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
19 She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
20 She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
21 She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
Theluji ishukapo, hana hofu kwa ajili ya watu wa nyumbani mwake, kwa maana wote wamevikwa nguo za kutia joto.
22 She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
Hutengeneza mazulia ya urembo ya kufunika kitanda chake, yeye huvaa kitani safi na urujuani.
23 Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.
24 She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.
25 She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
Amevikwa nguvu na heshima, anaweza kucheka bila kuwa na hofu kwa siku zijazo.
26 She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
27 She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
28 Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:
29 “Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
“Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
30 Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.
31 Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
Mpe thawabu anayostahili, nazo kazi zake na zimletee sifa kwenye lango la mji.
