Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [[shall I say to thee?]]
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Give not thy strength to 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 desire 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 rights of any of the afflicted.
6 Wape kileo kikali watu wanaopotea na mvinyo kwa wale wenye kutaabika kwa uchungu.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;
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 every orphan!
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain the cause of the poor and needy!
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
Who can find a capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want 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 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 while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She layeth a plan for 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 how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
She spreadeth 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 hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of fine linen and purple.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth with 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 to the merchant.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
Strength and honor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the days to come.
26 Anafumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima na sheria ya ukarimu ipo kwenye ulimi wake.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon 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 extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [[saving, ]]
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.
Grace is deceitful, and beauty vain; But the woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
