Mithali 31
1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.
2 “Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [[shall I say to thee?]]
3 Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
Give not thy strength to 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 desire 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 rights of any of the afflicted.
6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;
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 every orphan!
9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain the cause of the poor and needy!
10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
Who can find a capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want 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 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.
She riseth while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She layeth a plan for 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 how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.
20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
She spreadeth 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 hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.
22 Hutengeneza mazulia ya urembo ya kufunika kitanda chake, yeye huvaa kitani safi na urujuani.
She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of 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 with 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 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 laugheth at the days to come.
26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon 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 extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [[saving, ]]
29 “Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
“Many daughters have done, virtuously, 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 vain; But the woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Mpe thawabu anayostahili, nazo kazi zake na zimletee sifa kwenye lango la mji.
Give ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
