Mithali 31
1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 “Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.
Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 “Ee Lemueli, haifai wafalme, haifai wafalme kunywa mvinyo, haifai watawala kutamani sana kileo,
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 wasije wakanywa na kusahau vile sheria inavyoamuru na kuwanyima haki zao wote walioonewa.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Wanywe na kusahau umaskini wao na wasikumbuke taabu yao tena.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 “Sema kwa ajili ya wale wasioweza kujisemea, kwa ajili ya haki za wote walioachwa ukiwa.
Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.
The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.
She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
14 Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far.
15 Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.
She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.
She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.
She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
18 Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.
She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.
She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.
She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs forth her hands to the needy.
21 Theluji ishukapo, hana hofu kwa ajili ya watu wa nyumbani mwake, kwa maana wote wamevikwa nguo za kutia joto.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Hutengeneza mazulia ya urembo ya kufunika kitanda chake, yeye huvaa kitani safi na urujuani.
She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.
25 Amevikwa nguvu na heshima, anaweza kucheka bila kuwa na hofu kwa siku zijazo.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.
She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
29 “Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”
Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
30 Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Mpe thawabu anayostahili, nazo kazi zake na zimletee sifa kwenye lango la mji.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
