Mithali 31
1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
2 “Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
3 Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 “Ee Lemueli, haifai wafalme, haifai wafalme kunywa mvinyo, haifai watawala kutamani sana kileo,
It is not for kings, O 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 any that is afflicted.
6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto 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 thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
12 Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.
She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.
She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
14 Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
15 Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.
She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18 Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth 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 maketh 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 known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.
She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Amevikwa nguvu na heshima, anaweza kucheka bila kuwa na hofu kwa siku zijazo.
Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not 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], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
29 “Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
30 Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.
Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, 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; And let her works praise her in the gates.
