1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
1Mashoko amambo Remueri; zvirevo zvaakadzidziswa namai vake.
2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
2Nhai, mwanakomana wangu! Nhai, mwanakomana wemhiko dzangu!
3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
3Rega kupa vakadzi simba rako, Nenzira dzako kune zvinoparadza madzimambo.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
4Iwe Remueri, hazvifaniri madzimambo, hazvifaniri madzimambo kumwa waini; Namachinda kuti, Doro riripiko?
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
5Varege kumwa, vachizokangamwa murayiro, Varege kukanganisa kururamisira vamwe vanotambudzika.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
6Ipai anoda kuparara doro, Neanomoyo unorwadza waini;
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
7Ngaamwe, akangamwe urombo hwake, Arege kucharangarira kutambudzika kwake.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
8Shamisira mbeveve muromo wako, Urwire mhaka dzavose vakatemerwa kuparadzwah.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
9Shamisa muromo wako, utonge zvakarurama, Ururamisire murombo neanoshaiwa.
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
10Ndianiko angawana mukadzi anoshingairira zvakanaka? nekuti mutengo wake unokunda kwazvo mutengo wamaparera.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
11moyo womurume wake unomutenda, Naiye haangashaiwi fuma.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
12Unoitira murume wake zvakanaka, haamuitiri zvakaipa Mazuva ose oupenyu hwake.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
13Anotsvaka mvere noruchinda, Achibata namaoko ake nomufaro.
14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
14Akafanana nezvikepe zvavatengesi; Anondotora zvokudya zvake kure.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
15Anomuka huchiri usiku, Nokupa mhuri yake zvokudya, Navashandiri vake basa ravo.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
16Anorangarira munda, ndokuutenga; Anosima munda wemizambiringa nezvaakawana namaoko ake.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
17Anozvisunga chiuno nesimba, Nokusimbisa maoko ake.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
18Anoona kuti kushambadzira kwake kwabatsira; Mwenje wake haudzimi vusiku.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
19Anotambanudzira ruoko rwake kune chokurukisa; Maoko ake anobata chinorukwa.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
20Anotambanudzira murombo ruoko rwake; Anotandavadzira anoshaiwa maoko ake.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
21Haatyi chando pamusoro peimba yake, nekuti mhuri yake yose yakafuka nguvo tsvuku.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
22Anozviitira mitsamhiro inoukomba; nguvo yake mucheka wakaisvonaka nomutsvuku.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
23Murume wake anozikamwa pamasuwo eguta, Kana agere pakati pavakuru venyika.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
24Anoita zvokufuka zvomucheka achizvitengesa, Anovigira vatengesi zvisungo zvezviuno.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
25Simba nokukudzwa ndizvo zvokufuka zvake; Anoseka kana achifunga zuva inouya.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
26Anoshamisa muromo wake nouchenjeri; Rurimi rwake runodzidzisa nounyoro.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
27Anotarira zvakanaka kufamba kwemhuri yake, Asingadyi zvokudya zvousimbe.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
28Vana vake vanomuka, vachimuti, Makaropafadzwa; Nomurume wakewo anomurumbidza, achiti,
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
29Vakunda vazhinji vakaita zvakanaka,asi iwe unovakunda vose.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
30Zvinofadza zvinonyengedzera, unaki hahuna maturo; Asi mukadzi anotya Jehovha, ndiye anofanira kurumbidzwa.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
31Chimupai zvakafanira zvaakabata namaoko ake; Mabasa ake ngaamurumbidze pamasuwo eguta.