Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
The words of King Lemuel—an instruction his mother taught him.
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What, my son? What is it, son of my womb? What do you want, son of my vows?
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 Lemueli, kunywa divai, siyo kwa ajili ya wafalme, wala kwa watawala kuuliza, “kileo kikali kiko wapi?”
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 Kwa sababu kama watakunywa, watasahau sheria ni nini, na kupotosha haki za wote walioonewa.
because when they drink they forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Wape kileo kikali watu wanaopotea na mvinyo kwa wale wenye kutaabika kwa uchungu.
Give strong drink to a person who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress.
7 Atakunywa na kusahau umasikini wake na hataikumbuka taabu yake.
He will drink and he will forget his poverty and he will not remember his trouble.
8 Ongea kwa ajili yao wasioweza kuongea, kwa madai ya wote wanaopotea.
Speak for those who cannot speak, for the causes of all who are perishing.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right and plead the cause of poor and needy people.
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than jewels.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never be poor.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na wala si mabaya siku zote za maisha yake.
She does good things for him and not evil all the days of her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani, na hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa furaha.
She selects wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.
14 Yupo kama meli za wafanyabiashara; huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from far away.
15 Huamka wakati wa usiku na kuwapa chakula watu wa kaya yake, na kugawa kazi kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
She rises while it is night and gives food to her household, and she distributes the work for her female servants.
16 Hulifikiria shamba na kulinunua, kwa tunda la mikono yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considers a field and buys it, with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 Yeye mwenyewe hujivika nguvu na kuimarisha mikono yake.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She perceives what will make a good profit for her; all night long her lamp is not extinguished.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
She reaches out with her hand to poor people; she reaches out with her hands to needy people.
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 in scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, na naleta mishipi kwa wafanyabiashara.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and she supplies sashes to the merchants.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
She is clothed with strength and honor, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 Anafumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima na sheria ya ukarimu ipo kwenye ulimi wake.
She opens 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 watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Watoto wake huinuka na kumwita heri na mume wake humsifia, akisema,
Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband praises her, saying,
29 “Wanawake wengi wamefanya vizuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
“Many women have done well, but you surpassed them all.”
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
