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 thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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 thy 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 thy 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 doth 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 seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat 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 considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
19 She layeth 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 stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth 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 maketh 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 sitteth among the elders of the land.
Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it; ] and delivereth 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 openeth 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 looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth 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 praiseth her.
Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest 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] feareth 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.
