Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 Lemueli, kunywa divai, siyo kwa ajili ya wafalme, wala kwa watawala kuuliza, “kileo kikali kiko wapi?”
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6 Wape kileo kikali watu wanaopotea na mvinyo kwa wale wenye kutaabika kwa uchungu.
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 Atakunywa na kusahau umasikini wake na hataikumbuka taabu yake.
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Ongea kwa ajili yao wasioweza kuongea, kwa madai ya wote wanaopotea.
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na wala si mabaya siku zote za maisha yake.
She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani, na hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa furaha.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 Yupo kama meli za wafanyabiashara; huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 Huamka wakati wa usiku na kuwapa chakula watu wa kaya yake, na kugawa kazi kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 Yeye mwenyewe hujivika nguvu na kuimarisha mikono yake.
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 Haogopi theluji kwa ajili ya kaya yake, kwa maana nyumba yake yote imevika kwa nguo nyekundu.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, na naleta mishipi kwa wafanyabiashara.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
26 Anafumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima na sheria ya ukarimu ipo kwenye ulimi wake.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 Huangalia njia za nyumba yake na hawezi kula mkate wa uvivu.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Watoto wake huinuka na kumwita heri na mume wake humsifia, akisema,
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
29 “Wanawake wengi wamefanya vizuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
