Izaga 31
1 Amazwi enkosi uLemuweli, amazwi enhlakanipho awafundiswa ngunina:
The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.
2 Oh, ndodana yami! Oh ndodana yethumbu lami! Oh, ndodana yezifungo zami,
What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [[shall I say to thee?]]
3 ungadlalisi amandla akho ebafazini, izifutho zakho kulabo abadiliza amakhosi.
Give not thy strength to women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings!
4 Kakusikho kwamakhosi, bakithi Lemuweli kakusikho kwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kakusikho kwababusi ukunxwanela utshwala,
It is not for kings, O Lemuel! It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes to desire strong drink;
5 funa badakwe bakhohlwe izimiso zomthetho, behluleke ukumisela kuhle abahluphekayo amalungelo abo.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the rights of any of the afflicted.
6 Phana utshwala kulabo abavele sebezifele, iwayini kulabo abalosizi olukhulu;
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;
7 kabanathe bakhohlwe ubuyanga babo bakhohlwe nya usizi lwabo.
Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more!
8 Bamele labo abehlulekayo ukuzikhulumela, uwamele amalungelo alabo abangelalutho.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of every orphan!
9 Khuluma njalo wahlulele ngokulunga; alwele amalungelo abayanga labaswelayo.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain the cause of the poor and needy!
10 Ngubani na ongathola umfazi olesimilo? Uligugu elidlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
Who can find a capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.
11 Indoda yakhe iyamthemba ngokupheleleyo njalo kayisweli lutho oluqakathekileyo.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want of gain.
12 Uyenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, empilweni yakhe yonke.
She doeth him good, and not evil, All the days of her life.
13 Uyakhetha kuhle iwulu lesikusha akweluke kuhle ngezandla ezikhutheleyo.
She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
14 Unjengemikhumbi yabathengisi, eletha ukudla okuvela kude.
She is like the merchants' ships; She bringeth her food from afar.
15 Uvuka ekuseni kusesemnyama; alungisele abomuzi wakhe ukudla abele lezincekukazi zakhe.
She riseth while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.
16 Uyayihlolisisa insimu mandulo kokuyithenga; ngalokho akuzuzayo uyahlanyela isivini sakhe.
She layeth a plan for a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 Uwubamba ngokukhuthala umsebenzi wakhe; aqinise izingalo zakhe emsebenzini.
She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18 Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kulenzuzo, lokuthi isibane sakhe kasicimi ebusuku.
She perceiveth how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Uphatha uluthi lokuphotha ngesandla sakhe abesebamba ngeminwe yakhe isigudugudu sokweluka.
She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.
20 Welulela izandla zakhe kubayanga njalo ulezandla ezilula kwabaswelayo.
She spreadeth out her hand to the poor, Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 Lapho kukhithika ungqwaqwane, kalakwesaba ngabendlu yakhe; ngoba bonke bagqoke ezibomvu.
She hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.
22 Wendlala amalembu ombheda wakhe; agqoke ilineni elihle lezigqoko eziyibubende.
She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of fine linen and purple.
23 Indoda yakhe iyahlonitshwa enkundleni lapho efika ihlale khona ndawonye labadala belizwe.
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth with the elders of the land.
24 Uthunga izigqoko zelineni azithengise, abathengi bemigaxo bayizuza kuye.
She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles to the merchant.
25 Wembethe amandla lesithunzi; uyahleka loba kusiza insuku ezimbi.
Strength and honor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the days to come.
26 Ukhuluma ngenhlakanipho, lezeluleko eziqondileyo zisolimini lwakhe.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon her tongue.
27 Unqinekela ezomuzi wakhe njalo kadli isinkwa sobuvila.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Abantwabakhe bayambonga bathi ubusisiwe; lendoda yakhe layo iyamdumisa ithi,
Her children rise up, and extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [[saving, ]]
29 “Banengi abafazi abenza izimangaliso zobuhle, kodwa wena uyabedlula bonke.”
“Many daughters have done, virtuously, But thou excellest them all.”
30 Ukubukeka kuyakhohlisa, lobuhle buyaphela; kodwa umfazi owesaba uThixo kadunyiswe.
Grace is deceitful, and beauty vain; But the woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Kaphiwe umvuzo wobuhle abenzayo, imisebenzi yakhe imlethele udumo enkundleni.
Give ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
