Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
“Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
3 Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
“Ee Lemueli, haifai wafalme, haifai wafalme kunywa mvinyo, haifai watawala kutamani sana kileo,
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
wasije wakanywa na kusahau vile sheria inavyoamuru na kuwanyima haki zao wote walioonewa.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Wanywe na kusahau umaskini wao na wasikumbuke taabu yao tena.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
“Sema kwa ajili ya wale wasioweza kujisemea, kwa ajili ya haki za wote walioachwa ukiwa.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
11 The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.
13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far.
Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
16 She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs forth her hands to the needy.
Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Theluji ishukapo, hana hofu kwa ajili ya watu wa nyumbani mwake, kwa maana wote wamevikwa nguo za kutia joto.
22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Hutengeneza mazulia ya urembo ya kufunika kitanda chake, yeye huvaa kitani safi na urujuani.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.
24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.
Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Amevikwa nguvu na heshima, anaweza kucheka bila kuwa na hofu kwa siku zijazo.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
“Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Mpe thawabu anayostahili, nazo kazi zake na zimletee sifa kwenye lango la mji.
