Izaga 31
1 Amazwi kaLemuweli inkosi yeMasa, unina amfundisa wona.
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 Ini, ndodana yami! Ini-ke, ndodana yesizalo sami! Ini-ke, ndodana yezithembiso zami!
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Unganiki amandla akho kwabesifazana, kumbe izindlela zakho ekubhubhiseni amakhosi.
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 Kakusikwamakhosi, Lemuweli, kakusikwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kumbe okweziphathamandla ukuloyisa okunathwayo okulamandla.
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 Hlezi anathe, akhohlwe isimiso, aguqule isahlulelo sawo wonke amadodana enhlupheko.
lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Phana okunathwayo okulamandla kobhubhayo, lewayini kwabababayo emphefumulweni.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 Kanathe, akhohlwe ubuyanga bakhe, angabe esakhumbula usizi lwakhe.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Vulela isimungulu umlomo wakho, udaba lwabo bonke abamiselwe incithakalo.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Vula umlomo wakho, wahlulele ngokulunga, umele ilungelo lomyanga loswelayo.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Ngubani ongathola umfazi okhuthela okulungileyo? Ngoba intengo yakhe iyedlula kakhulu amatshe amahle.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 Inhliziyo yomkakhe ithemba kuye, ukuze angasweli impango.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 Umenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, insuku zonke zempilo yakhe.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 Udinga uboya bezimvu lefilakisi, asebenze ngenjabulo yezandla zakhe.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 Ufanana lemikhumbi yomthengisi; uletha ukudla kwakhe kuvela khatshana.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 Uvuka kusesebusuku, anike indlu yakhe ukudla, lesabelo kuzincekukazi zakhe.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 Anakane ngensimu ayizuze; ngesithelo sezandla zakhe ahlanyele ivini.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 Uyabhinca ukhalo lwakhe ngamandla, aqinise ingalo zakhe.
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kuhle; isibane sakhe kasicitshi ebusuku.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 Welulela izandla zakhe kuluthi lokuphotha, lezandla zakhe zibambe isigodo esilezintambo.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Welulela umyanga isandla sakhe, elulele izandla zakhe koswelayo.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 Kesabi iliqhwa elikhithikileyo ngenxa yabendlu yakhe, ngoba bonke abendlu yakhe bagqokiswe okubomvu.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Uzenzela izembeso; isigqoko sakhe sililembu elicolekileyo leliyibubende.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Umkakhe uyaziwa emasangweni, lapho ehlezi labadala belizwe.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits amongst the elders of the land.
24 Wenza ilembu elicolekileyo kakhulu, alithengise; anike umthengi ibhanti.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Amandla lodumo kuyisigqoko sakhe; uyahleka mayelana losuku olulandelayo.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 Uvula umlomo wakhe ngenhlakanipho; lemfundiso yomusa iselimini lwakhe.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 Uqaphela inhambo zomuzi wakhe; kadli isinkwa sobuvila.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28 Abantwana bakhe bayavuka bathi ubusisiwe, lomkakhe laye uyamdumisa:
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 Manengi amadodakazi enze ngenkuthalo, kodwa wena wenyukile phezu kwawo wonke.
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Ubuhle buyinkohliso, lokubukeka kuyize; owesifazana owesaba iNkosi yena uzadunyiswa.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Mnikeni okuvela esithelweni sezandla zakhe, lemisebenzi yakhe kayimdumise emasangweni.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
