1
Maneno ya mfalme Lemueli; mausia aliyofundishwa na mama yake.
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
2
Ni nini, mwanangu? Tena ni nini, mwana wa tumbo langu? Tena, ni nini mwana wa nadhiri zangu?
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3
Usiwape wanawake nguvu zako; Wala moyo wako usiwape wale wawaharibuo wafalme.
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4
Ee Lemueli, kunywa mvinyo hakuwafai wafalme, hakuwafai wafalme; Wala haifai wakuu waseme, Ki wapi kileo?
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5
Wasije wakanywa na kuisahau sheria, Na kuipotosha hukumu ya mtu aliye taabuni.
lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6
Mpe kileo yeye aliye karibu na kupotea; Kampe divai yeye aliye na uchungu nafsini.
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7
Anywe akausahau umaskini wake; Asiikumbuke tena taabu yake.
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8
Fumbua kinywa chako kwa ajili yake aliye bubu; Uwatetee watu wote walioachwa peke yao;
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9
Fumbua kinywa chako, uhukumu kwa haki; Uwapatie maskini na wahitaji haki yao.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10
Mke mwema, ni nani awezaye kumwona? Maana kima chake chapita kima cha marijani.
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
11
Moyo wa mumewe humwamini, Wala hatakosa kupata mapato.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
12
Humtendea mema wala si mabaya, Siku zote za maisha yake.
She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13
Hutafuta sufu na kitani; Hufanya kazi yake ya mikono kwa moyo.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14
Afanana na merikebu za biashara; Huleta chakula chake kutoka mbali.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15
Tena huamka, kabla haujaisha usiku; Huwapa watu wa nyumbani mwake chakula; Na wajakazi wake sehemu zao.
She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
16
Huangalia shamba, akalinunua; Kwa mapato ya mikono yake hupanda mizabibu.
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17
Hujifunga nguvu viunoni kama mshipi; Hutia mikono yake nguvu.
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
18
Huona kama bidhaa yake ina faida; Taa yake haizimiki usiku.
She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
19
Hutia mikono yake katika kusokota; Na mikono yake huishika pia.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20
Huwakunjulia maskini mikono yake; Naam, huwanyoshea wahitaji mikono yake.
She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21
Hawahofii theluji watu wa nyumbani mwake; Maana wote wa nyumbani mwake huvikwa nguo nyekundu.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
22
Hujifanyia mazulia ya urembo; Mavazi yake ni kitani safi na urujuani.
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23
Mume wake hujulikana malangoni; Aketipo pamoja na wazee wa nchi.
Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
24
Hufanya nguo za kitani na kuziuza; Huwapa wafanya biashara mishipi.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
25
Nguvu na hadhi ndiyo mavazi yake; Anaucheka wakati ujao.
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
26
Hufumbua kinywa chake kwa hekima, Na sheria ya wema i katika ulimi wake.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27
Huangalia sana njia za watu wa nyumbani mwake; Wala hali chakula cha uvivu.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28
Wanawe huondoka na kumwita heri; Mumewe naye humsifu, na kusema,
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
29
Binti za watu wengi wamefanya mema, Lakini wewe umewapita wote.
“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
30
Upendeleo hudanganya, na uzuri ni ubatili; Bali mwanamke amchaye Bwana, ndiye atakayesifiwa.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31
Mpe mapato ya mikono yake, Na matendo yake yamsifu malangoni.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.