Mithali 31
1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
Words of Lemuel, a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:
2 “Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
“What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3 Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
Do not give your strength to women, And your ways to wiping away of kings.
4 “Ee Lemueli, haifai wafalme, haifai wafalme kunywa mvinyo, haifai watawala kutamani sana kileo,
[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes—a desire of strong drink.
5 wasije wakanywa na kusahau vile sheria inavyoamuru na kuwanyima haki zao wote walioonewa.
Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
7 Wanywe na kusahau umaskini wao na wasikumbuke taabu yao tena.
He drinks, and forgets his poverty, And he does not remember his misery again.
8 “Sema kwa ajili ya wale wasioweza kujisemea, kwa ajili ya haki za wote walioachwa ukiwa.
Open your mouth for the mute, For the right of all sons of change.
9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
Open your mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!”
10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
[ALEPH-BET] A woman of worth who finds? Indeed, her price [is] far above rubies.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband has trusted in her, And he does not lack spoil.
12 Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.
She has done him good, and not evil, All [the] days of her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.
She has sought wool and flax, And with delight she works [with] her hands.
14 Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She has been as ships of the merchant, She brings in her bread from afar.
15 Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
Indeed, she rises while yet night, And gives food to her household, And a portion to her girls.
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She has considered a field, and takes it, She has planted a vineyard from the fruit of her hands.
17 Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.
She has girded her loins with might, And strengthens her arms.
18 Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
She has perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
She has sent forth her hands on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.
20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
She has spread forth her hand to the poor, Indeed, she sent 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 her household from snow, For all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza mazulia ya urembo ya kufunika kitanda chake, yeye huvaa kitani safi na urujuani.
She has made ornamental coverings for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing.
23 Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is known in the gates, In his sitting with [the] elderly of [the] land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.
She has made linen garments, and sells, And she has given a girdle to the merchant.
25 Amevikwa nguvu na heshima, anaweza kucheka bila kuwa na hofu kwa siku zijazo.
Strength and honor [are] her clothing, And she rejoices at a latter day.
26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
She has opened her mouth in wisdom, And the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.
27 Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
She [is] watching the ways of her household, And she does not eat bread of sloth.
28 Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:
Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her blessed, Her husband, and he praises her,
29 “Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
“The daughters who have done worthily [are] many, You have gone up above them all.”
30 Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.
Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain, A woman fearing YHWH, she may boast herself.
31 Mpe thawabu anayostahili, nazo kazi zake na zimletee sifa kwenye lango la mji.
Give to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works praise her in the gates!
