Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli; mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
Ni nini, mwanangu? Tena ni nini, mwana wa tumbo langu? Tena, ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
"Oh, my son!" Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
Usiwape wanawake nguvu zako; Wala moyo wako usiwape wale wawaharibuo wafalme.
Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Ee Lemueli, kunywa mvinyo hakuwafai wafalme, hakuwafai wafalme; Wala haifai wakuu waseme, Ki wapi kileo?
It is not for kings, Lemuel; It is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?'
Wasije wakanywa na kuisahau sheria, Na kuipotosha hukumu ya mtu aliye taabuni.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
Mpe kileo yeye aliye karibu na kupotea; Kampe divai yeye aliye na uchungu nafsini.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul:
Anywe akausahau umaskini wake; Asiikumbuke tena taabu yake.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
Fumbua kinywa chako kwa ajili yake aliye bubu; Uwatetee watu wote walioachwa peke yao;
Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate.
Fumbua kinywa chako, uhukumu kwa haki; Uwapatie maskini na wahitaji haki yao.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy."
Mke mwema, ni nani awezaye kumwona? Maana kima chake chapita kima cha marijani.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
Moyo wa mumewe humwamini, Wala hatakosa kupata mapato.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
Humtendea mema wala si mabaya, Siku zote za maisha yake.
She does him good, and not harm, All the days of her life.
Hutafuta sufu na kitani; Hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa moyo.
She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands.
Afanana na merikebu za biashara; Huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
Tena huamka, kabla haujaisha usiku; Huwapa watu wa nyumbani mwake chakula; Na wajakazi wake sehemu zao.
She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And portions for her servant girls.
Huangalia shamba, akalinunua; Kwa mapato ya mikono yake hupanda mizabibu.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
Hujifunga nguvu viunoni kama mshipi; Hutia mikono yake nguvu.
She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong.
Huona kama bidhaa yake ina faida; Taa yake haizimiki usiku.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
Hutia mikono yake katika kusokota; Na mikono yake huishika pia.
She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
Huwakunjulia maskini mikono yake; Naam, huwanyoshea wahitaji mikono yake.
She opens her arms to the poor; Yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
Hawahofii theluji watu wa nyumbani mwake; Maana wote wa nyumbani mwake huvikwa nguo nyekundu.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Hujifanyia mazulia ya urembo; Mavazi yake ni kitani safi na urujuani.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Mume wake hujulikana malangoni; Aketipo pamoja na wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is respected in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
Hufanya nguo za kitani na kuziuza; Huwapa wafanya biashara mishipi.
She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant.
Nguvu na hadhi ndiyo mavazi yake; Anaucheka wakati ujao.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
Hufumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima, Na sheria ya wema i katika ulimi wake.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Huangalia sana njia za watu wa nyumbani mwake; Wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
Wanawe huondoka na kumwita heri; Mumewe naye humsifu, na kusema,
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
Binti za watu wengi wamefanya mema, Lakini wewe umewapita wote.
"Many women do noble things, But you excel them all."
Upendeleo hudanganya, na uzuri ni ubatili; Bali mwanamke amchaye Bwana, ndiye atakayesifiwa.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Mpe mapato ya mikono yake, Na matendo yake yamsifu malangoni.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!