Mithali 31
1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that 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 them that destroy 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 rulers [to say], Where is the 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 judgment of any of the children of affliction.
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 of 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, for the cause of all those that 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 afflicted and needy.
10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
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 merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;
15 Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of 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 earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
She putteth 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 afflicted, and 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 herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus 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 body linen and selleth it, 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 coming day.
26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
She surveyeth 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:
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.
Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; 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 own works praise her in the gates.
