Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother instructed him.
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What [hast thou done], O my son: and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my vows?
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Give not unto women thy vigor, nor thy ways to those that ruin kings.
4 Lemueli, kunywa divai, siyo kwa ajili ya wafalme, wala kwa watawala kuuliza, “kileo kikali kiko wapi?”
Not for kings, O Lemoel, not for kings [it is fitting] to drink wine, nor for princes, strong drink:
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
Lest either might drink, and forget what is written in the law, and pervert the cause of all 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 who have an embittered soul.
7 Atakunywa na kusahau umasikini wake na hataikumbuka taabu yake.
Let such a one drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
8 Ongea kwa ajili yao wasioweza kuongea, kwa madai ya wote wanaopotea.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all fatherless children.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and decide 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 far above pearls is her value.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he will not see his gain diminish.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na wala si mabaya siku zote za maisha yake.
She treateth him well and not ill, all the days of her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani, na hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa furaha.
She seeketh for wool and flax, and worketh with her willing hands.
14 Yupo kama meli za wafanyabiashara; huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is become like the merchant's ships: from afar doth she bring her food.
15 Huamka wakati wa usiku na kuwapa chakula watu wa kaya yake, na kugawa kazi kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth provision to her household, and a task to her maidens.
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She thinketh of 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 with strength her loins, and giveth vigor to her arms.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She perceiveth that her profit is good: [therefore] her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She stretcheth out her hands to the spindle, and her palms hold fast the distaff.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
She spreadeth out wide her open palm to the poor: yea, her hands she stretcheth forth to the needy.
21 Haogopi theluji kwa ajili ya kaya yake, kwa maana nyumba yake yote imevika kwa nguo nyekundu.
She hath no fear for her household of the snow: for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
Tapestry-covering she maketh for herself: of linen and purple is her attire.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
Well known is in the gates her husband, when he sitteth with the elders of the land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, na naleta mishipi kwa wafanyabiashara.
Fine tunics she maketh, and selleth them, and girdles she furnisheth unto the merchant.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
Strength and dignity are her clothing: and she smileth at the coming of the last day.
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 the bread of idleness she doth not eat.
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 virtuously; but thou excellest them all.”
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
False is grace, and vain is beauty: a woman only that feareth the Lord shall indeed 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.
