Izaga 31
1 Amazwi enkosi uLemuweli, amazwi enhlakanipho awafundiswa ngunina:
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 Oh, ndodana yami! Oh ndodana yethumbu lami! Oh, ndodana yezifungo zami,
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 ungadlalisi amandla akho ebafazini, izifutho zakho kulabo abadiliza amakhosi.
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 Kakusikho kwamakhosi, bakithi Lemuweli kakusikho kwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kakusikho kwababusi ukunxwanela utshwala,
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 funa badakwe bakhohlwe izimiso zomthetho, behluleke ukumisela kuhle abahluphekayo amalungelo abo.
lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Phana utshwala kulabo abavele sebezifele, iwayini kulabo abalosizi olukhulu;
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 kabanathe bakhohlwe ubuyanga babo bakhohlwe nya usizi lwabo.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Bamele labo abehlulekayo ukuzikhulumela, uwamele amalungelo alabo abangelalutho.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Khuluma njalo wahlulele ngokulunga; alwele amalungelo abayanga labaswelayo.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Ngubani na ongathola umfazi olesimilo? Uligugu elidlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 Indoda yakhe iyamthemba ngokupheleleyo njalo kayisweli lutho oluqakathekileyo.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 Uyenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, empilweni yakhe yonke.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 Uyakhetha kuhle iwulu lesikusha akweluke kuhle ngezandla ezikhutheleyo.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 Unjengemikhumbi yabathengisi, eletha ukudla okuvela kude.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 Uvuka ekuseni kusesemnyama; alungisele abomuzi wakhe ukudla abele lezincekukazi zakhe.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 Uyayihlolisisa insimu mandulo kokuyithenga; ngalokho akuzuzayo uyahlanyela isivini sakhe.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 Uwubamba ngokukhuthala umsebenzi wakhe; aqinise izingalo zakhe emsebenzini.
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kulenzuzo, lokuthi isibane sakhe kasicimi ebusuku.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 Uphatha uluthi lokuphotha ngesandla sakhe abesebamba ngeminwe yakhe isigudugudu sokweluka.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Welulela izandla zakhe kubayanga njalo ulezandla ezilula kwabaswelayo.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 Lapho kukhithika ungqwaqwane, kalakwesaba ngabendlu yakhe; ngoba bonke bagqoke ezibomvu.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Wendlala amalembu ombheda wakhe; agqoke ilineni elihle lezigqoko eziyibubende.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Indoda yakhe iyahlonitshwa enkundleni lapho efika ihlale khona ndawonye labadala belizwe.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Uthunga izigqoko zelineni azithengise, abathengi bemigaxo bayizuza kuye.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Wembethe amandla lesithunzi; uyahleka loba kusiza insuku ezimbi.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 Ukhuluma ngenhlakanipho, lezeluleko eziqondileyo zisolimini lwakhe.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 Unqinekela ezomuzi wakhe njalo kadli isinkwa sobuvila.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28 Abantwabakhe bayambonga bathi ubusisiwe; lendoda yakhe layo iyamdumisa ithi,
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 “Banengi abafazi abenza izimangaliso zobuhle, kodwa wena uyabedlula bonke.”
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Ukubukeka kuyakhohlisa, lobuhle buyaphela; kodwa umfazi owesaba uThixo kadunyiswe.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Kaphiwe umvuzo wobuhle abenzayo, imisebenzi yakhe imlethele udumo enkundleni.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
