Mithali 31
1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 “Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 “Ee Lemueli, haifai wafalme, haifai wafalme kunywa mvinyo, haifai watawala kutamani sana kileo,
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 wasije wakanywa na kusahau vile sheria inavyoamuru na kuwanyima haki zao wote walioonewa.
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 Wanywe na kusahau umaskini wao na wasikumbuke taabu yao tena.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 “Sema kwa ajili ya wale wasioweza kujisemea, kwa ajili ya haki za wote walioachwa ukiwa.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 Theluji ishukapo, hana hofu kwa ajili ya watu wa nyumbani mwake, kwa maana wote wamevikwa nguo za kutia joto.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza mazulia ya urembo ya kufunika kitanda chake, yeye huvaa kitani safi na urujuani.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Amevikwa nguvu na heshima, anaweza kucheka bila kuwa na hofu kwa siku zijazo.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 “Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Mpe thawabu anayostahili, nazo kazi zake na zimletee sifa kwenye lango la mji.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
