Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What will you keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 Lemueli, kunywa divai, siyo kwa ajili ya wafalme, wala kwa watawala kuuliza, “kileo kikali kiko wapi?”
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Wape kileo kikali watu wanaopotea na mvinyo kwa wale wenye kutaabika kwa uchungu.
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 Atakunywa na kusahau umasikini wake na hataikumbuka taabu yake.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Ongea kwa ajili yao wasioweza kuongea, kwa madai ya wote wanaopotea.
Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na wala si mabaya siku zote za maisha yake.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani, na hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa furaha.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 Yupo kama meli za wafanyabiashara; huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 Huamka wakati wa usiku na kuwapa chakula watu wa kaya yake, na kugawa kazi kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 Yeye mwenyewe hujivika nguvu na kuimarisha mikono yake.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 Haogopi theluji kwa ajili ya kaya yake, kwa maana nyumba yake yote imevika kwa nguo nyekundu.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, na naleta mishipi kwa wafanyabiashara.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 Anafumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima na sheria ya ukarimu ipo kwenye ulimi wake.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 Huangalia njia za nyumba yake na hawezi kula mkate wa uvivu.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Watoto wake huinuka na kumwita heri na mume wake humsifia, akisema,
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 “Wanawake wengi wamefanya vizuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
