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, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
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 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 afflicted.
6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.
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 all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead 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 virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.
She will do 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 merchant's 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 also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considereth 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 strengtheneth her arms.
18 Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yes, 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 coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk 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 fine linen, and selleth [it]; 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 shall rejoice in time to come.
26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
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 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 virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.
Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, 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.
