Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the 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 strong drink:
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the 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 those that be of heavy hearts.
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.
Who can find a virtuous woman? 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, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na 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, 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 merchants’ 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 meat 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 strengtheneth her arms.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
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 herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk 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 fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 Anafumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima na sheria ya ukarimu ipo kwenye ulimi wake.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
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 arise 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 virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth Yhwh, 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 own works praise her in the gates.
