Izaga 31
1 Amazwi kaLemuweli inkosi yeMasa, unina amfundisa wona.
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 Ini, ndodana yami! Ini-ke, ndodana yesizalo sami! Ini-ke, ndodana yezithembiso zami!
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Unganiki amandla akho kwabesifazana, kumbe izindlela zakho ekubhubhiseni amakhosi.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 Kakusikwamakhosi, Lemuweli, kakusikwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kumbe okweziphathamandla ukuloyisa okunathwayo okulamandla.
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 Hlezi anathe, akhohlwe isimiso, aguqule isahlulelo sawo wonke amadodana enhlupheko.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Phana okunathwayo okulamandla kobhubhayo, lewayini kwabababayo emphefumulweni.
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 Kanathe, akhohlwe ubuyanga bakhe, angabe esakhumbula usizi lwakhe.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Vulela isimungulu umlomo wakho, udaba lwabo bonke abamiselwe incithakalo.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Vula umlomo wakho, wahlulele ngokulunga, umele ilungelo lomyanga loswelayo.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 Ngubani ongathola umfazi okhuthela okulungileyo? Ngoba intengo yakhe iyedlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 Inhliziyo yomkakhe ithemba kuye, ukuze angasweli impango.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 Umenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, insuku zonke zempilo yakhe.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 Udinga uboya bezimvu lefilakisi, asebenze ngenjabulo yezandla zakhe.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 Ufanana lemikhumbi yomthengisi; uletha ukudla kwakhe kuvela khatshana.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 Uvuka kusesebusuku, anike indlu yakhe ukudla, lesabelo kuzincekukazi zakhe.
She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
16 Anakane ngensimu ayizuze; ngesithelo sezandla zakhe ahlanyele ivini.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 Uyabhinca ukhalo lwakhe ngamandla, aqinise ingalo zakhe.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kuhle; isibane sakhe kasicitshi ebusuku.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Welulela izandla zakhe kuluthi lokuphotha, lezandla zakhe zibambe isigodo esilezintambo.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 Welulela umyanga isandla sakhe, elulele izandla zakhe koswelayo.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 Kesabi iliqhwa elikhithikileyo ngenxa yabendlu yakhe, ngoba bonke abendlu yakhe bagqokiswe okubomvu.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 Uzenzela izembeso; isigqoko sakhe sililembu elicolekileyo leliyibubende.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Umkakhe uyaziwa emasangweni, lapho ehlezi labadala belizwe.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 Wenza ilembu elicolekileyo kakhulu, alithengise; anike umthengi ibhanti.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Amandla lodumo kuyisigqoko sakhe; uyahleka mayelana losuku olulandelayo.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 Uvula umlomo wakhe ngenhlakanipho; lemfundiso yomusa iselimini lwakhe.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 Uqaphela inhambo zomuzi wakhe; kadli isinkwa sobuvila.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Abantwana bakhe bayavuka bathi ubusisiwe, lomkakhe laye uyamdumisa:
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 Manengi amadodakazi enze ngenkuthalo, kodwa wena wenyukile phezu kwawo wonke.
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Ubuhle buyinkohliso, lokubukeka kuyize; owesifazana owesaba iNkosi yena uzadunyiswa.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Mnikeni okuvela esithelweni sezandla zakhe, lemisebenzi yakhe kayimdumise emasangweni.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
