Proverbs 31
1 The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
Amazwi kaLemuweli inkosi yeMasa, unina amfundisa wona.
2 “Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
Ini, ndodana yami! Ini-ke, ndodana yesizalo sami! Ini-ke, ndodana yezithembiso zami!
3 Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Unganiki amandla akho kwabesifazana, kumbe izindlela zakho ekubhubhiseni amakhosi.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
Kakusikwamakhosi, Lemuweli, kakusikwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kumbe okweziphathamandla ukuloyisa okunathwayo okulamandla.
5 lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is 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 the bitter in soul.
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 mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Vulela isimungulu umlomo wakho, udaba lwabo bonke abamiselwe incithakalo.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
Vula umlomo wakho, wahlulele ngokulunga, umele ilungelo lomyanga loswelayo.
10 Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
Ngubani ongathola umfazi okhuthela okulungileyo? Ngoba intengo yakhe iyedlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
Inhliziyo yomkakhe ithemba kuye, ukuze angasweli impango.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Umenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, insuku zonke zempilo yakhe.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
Udinga uboya bezimvu lefilakisi, asebenze ngenjabulo yezandla zakhe.
14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
Ufanana lemikhumbi yomthengisi; uletha ukudla kwakhe kuvela khatshana.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
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 arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
Uyabhinca ukhalo lwakhe ngamandla, aqinise ingalo zakhe.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kuhle; isibane sakhe kasicitshi ebusuku.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Welulela izandla zakhe kuluthi lokuphotha, lezandla zakhe zibambe isigodo esilezintambo.
20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends 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 for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Uzenzela izembeso; isigqoko sakhe sililembu elicolekileyo leliyibubende.
23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Umkakhe uyaziwa emasangweni, lapho ehlezi labadala belizwe.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
Wenza ilembu elicolekileyo kakhulu, alithengise; anike umthengi ibhanti.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
Amandla lodumo kuyisigqoko sakhe; uyahleka mayelana losuku olulandelayo.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
Uvula umlomo wakhe ngenhlakanipho; lemfundiso yomusa iselimini lwakhe.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
Uqaphela inhambo zomuzi wakhe; kadli isinkwa sobuvila.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
Abantwana bakhe bayavuka bathi ubusisiwe, lomkakhe laye uyamdumisa:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
Manengi amadodakazi enze ngenkuthalo, kodwa wena wenyukile phezu kwawo wonke.
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Ubuhle buyinkohliso, lokubukeka kuyize; owesifazana owesaba iNkosi yena uzadunyiswa.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
Mnikeni okuvela esithelweni sezandla zakhe, lemisebenzi yakhe kayimdumise emasangweni.
