Mithali 31
1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 “Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
What will you keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 “Ee Lemueli, haifai wafalme, haifai wafalme kunywa mvinyo, haifai watawala kutamani sana kileo,
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 wasije wakanywa na kusahau vile sheria inavyoamuru na kuwanyima haki zao wote walioonewa.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 Wanywe na kusahau umaskini wao na wasikumbuke taabu yao tena.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 “Sema kwa ajili ya wale wasioweza kujisemea, kwa ajili ya haki za wote walioachwa ukiwa.
Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 Theluji ishukapo, hana hofu kwa ajili ya watu wa nyumbani mwake, kwa maana wote wamevikwa nguo za kutia joto.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 Hutengeneza mazulia ya urembo ya kufunika kitanda chake, yeye huvaa kitani safi na urujuani.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 Amevikwa nguvu na heshima, anaweza kucheka bila kuwa na hofu kwa siku zijazo.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 “Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.
30 Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
31 Mpe thawabu anayostahili, nazo kazi zake na zimletee sifa kwenye lango la mji.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
