Izaga 31
1 Amazwi kaLemuweli inkosi yeMasa, unina amfundisa wona.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 Ini, ndodana yami! Ini-ke, ndodana yesizalo sami! Ini-ke, ndodana yezithembiso zami!
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
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 strong drink:
5 Hlezi anathe, akhohlwe isimiso, aguqule isahlulelo sawo wonke amadodana enhlupheko.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Phana okunathwayo okulamandla kobhubhayo, lewayini kwabababayo emphefumulweni.
Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.
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 all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Vula umlomo wakho, wahlulele ngokulunga, umele ilungelo lomyanga loswelayo.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Ngubani ongathola umfazi okhuthela okulungileyo? Ngoba intengo yakhe iyedlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 Inhliziyo yomkakhe ithemba kuye, ukuze angasweli impango.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 Umenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, insuku zonke zempilo yakhe.
She will do 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 merchant ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 Uvuka kusesebusuku, anike indlu yakhe ukudla, lesabelo kuzincekukazi zakhe.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 Anakane ngensimu ayizuze; ngesithelo sezandla zakhe ahlanyele ivini.
She considereth 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 strengtheneth her arms.
18 Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kuhle; isibane sakhe kasicitshi ebusuku.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 Welulela izandla zakhe kuluthi lokuphotha, lezandla zakhe zibambe isigodo esilezintambo.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 Welulela umyanga isandla sakhe, elulele izandla zakhe koswelayo.
She stretcheth 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 is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Uzenzela izembeso; isigqoko sakhe sililembu elicolekileyo leliyibubende.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Umkakhe uyaziwa emasangweni, lapho ehlezi labadala belizwe.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 Wenza ilembu elicolekileyo kakhulu, alithengise; anike umthengi ibhanti.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth waistbands to the merchant.
25 Amandla lodumo kuyisigqoko sakhe; uyahleka mayelana losuku olulandelayo.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 Uvula umlomo wakhe ngenhlakanipho; lemfundiso yomusa iselimini lwakhe.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
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 call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
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.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Mnikeni okuvela esithelweni sezandla zakhe, lemisebenzi yakhe kayimdumise emasangweni.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
