Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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: nor for princes to say: 'Where is strong drink?'
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
6 Wape kileo kikali watu wanaopotea na mvinyo kwa wale wenye kutaabika kwa uchungu.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto 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 thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na 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, na hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa furaha.
She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 Yupo kama meli za wafanyabiashara; huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth 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 riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 Yeye mwenyewe hujivika nguvu na kuimarisha mikono yake.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 Haogopi theluji kwa ajili ya kaya yake, kwa maana nyumba yake yote imevika kwa nguo nyekundu.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
She maketh for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na 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, na naleta mishipi kwa wafanyabiashara.
She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
26 Anafumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima na sheria ya ukarimu ipo kwenye ulimi wake.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 Huangalia njia za nyumba yake na hawezi kula mkate wa uvivu.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not 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 also, and he praiseth her:
29 “Wanawake wengi wamefanya vizuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
'Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all.'
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
