Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
Words of Lemuel, a king, a declaration 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, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Do not give your strength to women, And your ways to wiping away of 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, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes—a desire of strong drink.
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
6 Wape kileo kikali watu wanaopotea na mvinyo kwa wale wenye kutaabika kwa uchungu.
Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
7 Atakunywa na kusahau umasikini wake na hataikumbuka taabu yake.
He drinks, and forgets his poverty, And he does not remember his misery again.
8 Ongea kwa ajili yao wasioweza kuongea, kwa madai ya wote wanaopotea.
Open your mouth for the mute, For the right of all sons of change.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!”
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
[ALEPH-BET] A woman of worth who finds? Indeed, her price [is] far above rubies.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband has trusted in her, And he does not lack spoil.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na wala si mabaya siku zote za maisha yake.
She has done 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 has sought wool and flax, And with delight she works [with] her hands.
14 Yupo kama meli za wafanyabiashara; huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She has been as ships of the merchant, She brings in her bread from afar.
15 Huamka wakati wa usiku na kuwapa chakula watu wa kaya yake, na kugawa kazi kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
Indeed, she rises while yet night, And gives food to her household, And a portion to her girls.
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She has considered a field, and takes it, She has planted a vineyard from the fruit of her hands.
17 Yeye mwenyewe hujivika nguvu na kuimarisha mikono yake.
She has girded her loins with might, And strengthens her arms.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She has perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She has sent forth her hands on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
She has spread forth her hand to the poor, Indeed, she sent 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 her household from snow, For all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
She has made ornamental coverings for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is known in the gates, In his sitting with [the] elderly of [the] land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, na naleta mishipi kwa wafanyabiashara.
She has made linen garments, and sells, And she has given a girdle to the merchant.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
Strength and honor [are] her clothing, And she rejoices at a latter day.
26 Anafumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima na sheria ya ukarimu ipo kwenye ulimi wake.
She has opened her mouth in wisdom, And the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.
27 Huangalia njia za nyumba yake na hawezi kula mkate wa uvivu.
She [is] watching the ways of her household, And she does not eat bread of sloth.
28 Watoto wake huinuka na kumwita heri na mume wake humsifia, akisema,
Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her blessed, Her husband, and he praises her,
29 “Wanawake wengi wamefanya vizuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
“The daughters who have done worthily [are] many, You have gone up above them all.”
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain, A woman fearing YHWH, she may boast herself.
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works praise her in the gates!
