Proverbs 31
1 The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.
Amazwi kaLemuweli inkosi yeMasa, unina amfundisa wona.
2 What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [[shall I say to thee?]]
Ini, ndodana yami! Ini-ke, ndodana yesizalo sami! Ini-ke, ndodana yezithembiso zami!
3 Give not thy strength to women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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 to desire strong drink;
Kakusikwamakhosi, Lemuweli, kakusikwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kumbe okweziphathamandla ukuloyisa okunathwayo okulamandla.
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the rights of any of the afflicted.
Hlezi anathe, akhohlwe isimiso, aguqule isahlulelo sawo wonke amadodana enhlupheko.
6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;
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 thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of every orphan!
Vulela isimungulu umlomo wakho, udaba lwabo bonke abamiselwe incithakalo.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain the cause of the poor and needy!
Vula umlomo wakho, wahlulele ngokulunga, umele ilungelo lomyanga loswelayo.
10 Who can find a capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.
Ngubani ongathola umfazi okhuthela okulungileyo? Ngoba intengo yakhe iyedlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want of gain.
Inhliziyo yomkakhe ithemba kuye, ukuze angasweli impango.
12 She doeth him good, and not evil, All the days of her life.
Umenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, insuku zonke zempilo yakhe.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
Udinga uboya bezimvu lefilakisi, asebenze ngenjabulo yezandla zakhe.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; She bringeth her food from afar.
Ufanana lemikhumbi yomthengisi; uletha ukudla kwakhe kuvela khatshana.
15 She riseth while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.
Uvuka kusesebusuku, anike indlu yakhe ukudla, lesabelo kuzincekukazi zakhe.
16 She layeth a plan for a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Anakane ngensimu ayizuze; ngesithelo sezandla zakhe ahlanyele ivini.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
Uyabhinca ukhalo lwakhe ngamandla, aqinise ingalo zakhe.
18 She perceiveth how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kuhle; isibane sakhe kasicitshi ebusuku.
19 She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.
Welulela izandla zakhe kuluthi lokuphotha, lezandla zakhe zibambe isigodo esilezintambo.
20 She spreadeth out her hand to the poor, Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Welulela umyanga isandla sakhe, elulele izandla zakhe koswelayo.
21 She hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.
Kesabi iliqhwa elikhithikileyo ngenxa yabendlu yakhe, ngoba bonke abendlu yakhe bagqokiswe okubomvu.
22 She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of fine linen and purple.
Uzenzela izembeso; isigqoko sakhe sililembu elicolekileyo leliyibubende.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth with the elders of the land.
Umkakhe uyaziwa emasangweni, lapho ehlezi labadala belizwe.
24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles to the merchant.
Wenza ilembu elicolekileyo kakhulu, alithengise; anike umthengi ibhanti.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the days to come.
Amandla lodumo kuyisigqoko sakhe; uyahleka mayelana losuku olulandelayo.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon her tongue.
Uvula umlomo wakhe ngenhlakanipho; lemfundiso yomusa iselimini lwakhe.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
Uqaphela inhambo zomuzi wakhe; kadli isinkwa sobuvila.
28 Her children rise up, and extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [[saving, ]]
Abantwana bakhe bayavuka bathi ubusisiwe, lomkakhe laye uyamdumisa:
29 “Many daughters have done, virtuously, But thou excellest them all.”
Manengi amadodakazi enze ngenkuthalo, kodwa wena wenyukile phezu kwawo wonke.
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty vain; But the woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Ubuhle buyinkohliso, lokubukeka kuyize; owesifazana owesaba iNkosi yena uzadunyiswa.
31 Give ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
Mnikeni okuvela esithelweni sezandla zakhe, lemisebenzi yakhe kayimdumise emasangweni.
