Fakkeenya 31
1 Jecha Lemuuʼeel mootichaa kan haati isaa isa barsiifte:
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 “Maali yaa ilma ko, maali yaa ilma gadameessa ko, maali yaa ilma wareega ko,
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 humna kee dubartoota irratti, jabina kee warra mootota balleessan irratti hin fixin.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 “Yaa Lemuuʼeel, wanni kun moototaaf hin malu; daadhii wayinii dhuguun moototaaf hin malu; dhugaatii cimaatti gaggabuunis bulchitootaaf hin malu;
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 kunis akka isaan dhuganii waan seerri jedhu dagatanii warra hacuucaman hunda mirga isaanii hin dhowwanneef.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Warra baduuf jiraniif dhugaatii cimaa, warra jireenyi itti hadhaaʼeef daadhii wayinii kenni;
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 isaan dhuganii hiyyummaa isaanii haa irraanfatan; rakkina isaaniis deebiʼanii hin yaadatin.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 “Warra ofii isaaniitiif dubbachuu hin dandeenyeef, mirga warra gatamaniitiifis falmi.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Afaan kee banadhu; murtii qajeelaas kenni; mirga hiyyeeyyiitii fi rakkattootaatiif falmi.”
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 Niitii amala gaarii qabdu eenyutu argachuu dandaʼa? Isheen lula diimaa caalaa gati qabeettii dha.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 Dhirsi ishee guddisee ishee amanata; inni waan faayidaa qabu tokko illee hin dhabu.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 Isheen bara jireenya ishee guutuu waan gaarii isaaf fiddi malee isa hin miitu.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 Isheen suufii fi quncee talbaa barbaaddee harka ishee kan hojii jaallatuun footi.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 Isheen akkuma doonii daldalaatti lafa fagoodhaa nyaata ishee fidatti.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 Isheen utuu lafti hin bariʼin hirribaa kaatee maatii isheetiif nyaata kenniti; xomboreewwan isheefis hojii qooddi.
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 Isheen lafa qotiisaa hubattee ilaaltee bitti; waan hojjettee argattu keessaa wayinii dhaabdi.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 Isheen jabinaan mudhii ishee hidhattee hojiidhaaf irree ishee jabeeffatti.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 Isheen akka daldalli ishee buʼaa qabu hubatti; ibsaan ishees halkaniin hin dhaamu.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Mukni itti jirbii maran harka ishee keessa jira; quba isheetiin immoo calii qabatti.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 Isheen hiyyeessaaf harka hiixatti; dhabaadhaaf illee harka balʼifti.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 Yoo cabbiin buʼe illee isheen maatii isheetiif hin yaaddoftu; isaan hundinuu uffata bildiimaa uffataniiruutii.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 Isheen wayyaa siree dhaʼatti; uffata dhiilgee quncee talbaa haphii irraa hojjetames uffatti.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Dhirsi ishee yommuu karra magaalaa dura, jaarsolii biyyaa gidduu taaʼu ni kabajama.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 Isheen wayyaa quncee talbaa dhooftee gurgurti; daldaltootaafis sabbata dhiʼeessiti.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Isheen jabinaa fi ulfina uffatti; bara dhufaa jiruttis kolfuu dandeessi.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 Afaan ishee ogummaadhaan banatti; gorsi gara laafinaas arraba ishee irra jira.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 Isheen mana ishee toʼatti; isheen buddeena dhibaaʼummaas hin nyaattu.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Ijoolleen ishee kaʼanii, eebbifamtuu jedhuun; dhirsi ishees akkasuma jedhaan; akkana jedhees ishee jaja:
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 “Dubartoonni hedduun waan gaarii hojjetu; ati garuu isaan hunda caalta.”
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Simboon nama gowwoomsa; miidhaginnis ni darba; dubartiin Waaqayyoon sodaattu garuu galateeffamtuu dha.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Buʼaa harka ishee kennaafii; hojiin ishee karra magaalaa duratti ishee haa jaju.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
