Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
The words of Lemuel the king, —the strain which was taught him by his mother: —
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? aye what, the son of my vows?
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin 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 dignitaries, to desire strong drink,
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
Lest he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
6 Wape kileo kikali watu wanaopotea na mvinyo kwa wale wenye kutaabika kwa uchungu.
Give strong drink, to him that is perishing, and wine, to such as are embittered in soul:
7 Atakunywa na kusahau umasikini wake na hataikumbuka taabu yake.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and, his wearying toil, let him remember 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 the children of the departed.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:
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 ships of the merchant, from afar, she bringeth in 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 yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out of 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 putteth vigour into her arms:
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
21 Haogopi theluji kwa ajili ya kaya yake, kwa maana nyumba yake yote imevika kwa nguo nyekundu.
She feareth not, for her household, because 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.
Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
Known in the gates, is her husband, when he sitteth, with the elders of the land:
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, na naleta mishipi kwa wafanyabiashara.
Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
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.
Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
27 Huangalia njia za nyumba yake na hawezi kula mkate wa uvivu.
She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.
28 Watoto wake huinuka na kumwita heri na mume wake humsifia, akisema,
Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, 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.
Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give her of the fruit of her own hands, and let her own works, praise her in the gates.
