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