Mithali 31
1 Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli - mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 Mwanangu nini? Na ni nini mwana wa tumbo langu? Na ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Nguvu zako usiwape wanawake; au wenye kuharibu wafalme njia zako.
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys 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, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is 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 justice due to anyone who is 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 the bitter in soul.
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 your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Ongea na uhukumu kwa vipimo vya haki na utetee dai la masikini na watu wahitaji.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Mke hodari ni nani anaweza kumpata? Thamani yake ni zaidi kuliko vito.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 Moyo wa mume wake humwamini, na hatakuwa masikini.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 Humtendea mambo mema na wala si mabaya siku zote za maisha yake.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani, na hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa furaha.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 Yupo kama meli za wafanyabiashara; huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 Huamka wakati wa usiku na kuwapa chakula watu wa kaya yake, na kugawa kazi kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
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 arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 Huangalia ni kipi kitaleta faida nzuri kwake; usiku wote taa yake haizimishwi.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 Mikono yake huiweka kwenye mpini wa kisokotea nyuzi na hushikilia kisokotea nyuzi.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Mkono wake huwafikia watu masikini; mikono yake huwafikia watu wahitaji.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends 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 the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza matandiko ya kitanda chake, na huvaa nguo za kitani ya dhambarau safi.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Mume wake anajulikana malangoni, anapoketi na wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits amongst 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 delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Amevaa nguvu na heshima, na wakati ujao huucheka.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. 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. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 Huangalia njia za nyumba yake na hawezi kula mkate wa uvivu.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t 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. Her husband also praises her:
29 “Wanawake wengi wamefanya vizuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Madaha ni udanganyifu, uzuri ni ubatili; bali mwanamke amchaye Yehova, atasifiwa.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Mpeni tunda la mikono yake na kazi zake zimsifu katika malango.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
