Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 Lemueli, kunywa divai, siyo kwa ajili ya wafalme, wala kwa watawala kuuliza, “kileo kikali kiko wapi?”
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Wape kileo kikali watu wanaopotea na mvinyo kwa wale wenye kutaabika kwa uchungu.
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 Atakunywa na kusahau umasikini wake na hataikumbuka taabu yake.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Ongea kwa ajili yao wasioweza kuongea, kwa madai ya wote wanaopotea.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na wala si mabaya siku zote za maisha yake.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani, na hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa furaha.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 Yupo kama meli za wafanyabiashara; huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 Huamka wakati wa usiku na kuwapa chakula watu wa kaya yake, na kugawa kazi kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 Yeye mwenyewe hujivika nguvu na kuimarisha mikono yake.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 Haogopi theluji kwa ajili ya kaya yake, kwa maana nyumba yake yote imevika kwa nguo nyekundu.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, na naleta mishipi kwa wafanyabiashara.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 Anafumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima na sheria ya ukarimu ipo kwenye ulimi wake.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 Huangalia njia za nyumba yake na hawezi kula mkate wa uvivu.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Watoto wake huinuka na kumwita heri na mume wake humsifia, akisema,
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 “Wanawake wengi wamefanya vizuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
