Mithali 31
1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
The words of Lemuel the king, —the strain which was taught him by his mother: —
2 “Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? aye what, the son of my vows?
3 Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin 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 dignitaries, to desire strong drink,
5 wasije wakanywa na kusahau vile sheria inavyoamuru na kuwanyima haki zao wote walioonewa.
Lest he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
Give strong drink, to him that is perishing, and wine, to such as are embittered in soul:
7 Wanywe na kusahau umaskini wao na wasikumbuke taabu yao tena.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and, his wearying toil, let him remember 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 the children of the departed.
9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:
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 ships of the merchant, from afar, she bringeth in her food;
15 Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
And she riseth, while yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out 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, with strength her loins, and putteth vigour into her arms:
18 Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
21 Theluji ishukapo, hana hofu kwa ajili ya watu wa nyumbani mwake, kwa maana wote wamevikwa nguo za kutia joto.
She feareth not, for her household, because 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.
Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:
23 Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.
Known in the gates, is her husband, when he sitteth, with the elders of the land:
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.
Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
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.
Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
27 Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.
28 Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:
Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, and he praiseth her: —
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.
Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, 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 own hands, and let her own works, praise her in the gates.
