Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
Amazwi kaLemuweli inkosi yeMasa, unina amfundisa wona.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
Ini, ndodana yami! Ini-ke, ndodana yesizalo sami! Ini-ke, ndodana yezithembiso zami!
3 Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Unganiki amandla akho kwabesifazana, kumbe izindlela zakho ekubhubhiseni amakhosi.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Kakusikwamakhosi, Lemuweli, kakusikwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kumbe okweziphathamandla ukuloyisa okunathwayo okulamandla.
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Hlezi anathe, akhohlwe isimiso, aguqule isahlulelo sawo wonke amadodana enhlupheko.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Phana okunathwayo okulamandla kobhubhayo, lewayini kwabababayo emphefumulweni.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Kanathe, akhohlwe ubuyanga bakhe, angabe esakhumbula usizi lwakhe.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Vulela isimungulu umlomo wakho, udaba lwabo bonke abamiselwe incithakalo.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Vula umlomo wakho, wahlulele ngokulunga, umele ilungelo lomyanga loswelayo.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Ngubani ongathola umfazi okhuthela okulungileyo? Ngoba intengo yakhe iyedlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
11 The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Inhliziyo yomkakhe ithemba kuye, ukuze angasweli impango.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Umenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, insuku zonke zempilo yakhe.
13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
Udinga uboya bezimvu lefilakisi, asebenze ngenjabulo yezandla zakhe.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far.
Ufanana lemikhumbi yomthengisi; uletha ukudla kwakhe kuvela khatshana.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Uvuka kusesebusuku, anike indlu yakhe ukudla, lesabelo kuzincekukazi zakhe.
16 She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Anakane ngensimu ayizuze; ngesithelo sezandla zakhe ahlanyele ivini.
17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
Uyabhinca ukhalo lwakhe ngamandla, aqinise ingalo zakhe.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kuhle; isibane sakhe kasicitshi ebusuku.
19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
Welulela izandla zakhe kuluthi lokuphotha, lezandla zakhe zibambe isigodo esilezintambo.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs forth her hands to the needy.
Welulela umyanga isandla sakhe, elulele izandla zakhe koswelayo.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Kesabi iliqhwa elikhithikileyo ngenxa yabendlu yakhe, ngoba bonke abendlu yakhe bagqokiswe okubomvu.
22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Uzenzela izembeso; isigqoko sakhe sililembu elicolekileyo leliyibubende.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Umkakhe uyaziwa emasangweni, lapho ehlezi labadala belizwe.
24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.
Wenza ilembu elicolekileyo kakhulu, alithengise; anike umthengi ibhanti.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Amandla lodumo kuyisigqoko sakhe; uyahleka mayelana losuku olulandelayo.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Uvula umlomo wakhe ngenhlakanipho; lemfundiso yomusa iselimini lwakhe.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
Uqaphela inhambo zomuzi wakhe; kadli isinkwa sobuvila.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Abantwana bakhe bayavuka bathi ubusisiwe, lomkakhe laye uyamdumisa:
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
Manengi amadodakazi enze ngenkuthalo, kodwa wena wenyukile phezu kwawo wonke.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Ubuhle buyinkohliso, lokubukeka kuyize; owesifazana owesaba iNkosi yena uzadunyiswa.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Mnikeni okuvela esithelweni sezandla zakhe, lemisebenzi yakhe kayimdumise emasangweni.
