Proverbs 31

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

Ko nga kupu a Kingi Remuera; ko te poropititanga i whakaakona ai ia e tona whaea.

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

He aha, e taku tama? He aha, e te tama a toku kopu? A he aha, e te tama a aku kupu taurangi?

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Kaua e hoatu tou kaha ki nga wahine, ou ara hoki ki te mea whakangaro o nga kingi.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Ehara ma nga kingi, e Remuera, ehara ma nga kingi te inu waina; ehara hoki ma nga rangatira te mea, Kei hea he wai kaha?

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Kei inu ratou, a ka wareware ki te ture, a ka whakapeau ke i te whakawa o te tangata e tukinotia ana.

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Hoatu he wai kaha ma te tangata e tata ana te marere, he waina hoki ki nga wairua pouri:

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Tukua ia kia inu, kia wareware ai ki tona rawakore, a kore ake he mahara ki ona mate.

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Kia puaki tou mangai mo te wahangu, i te whakawakanga o te hunga katoa kua waiho mo te mate.

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Kia puaki tou mangai, whakaritea te whakawa i runga i te tika, tohea te tohe a te ware, a te rawakore.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Ko wai e kite i te wahine e u ana tona pai? Ko tona utu hoki kei runga noa atu i to nga rupi.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Ka whakapono te ngakau o tana tane ki a ia, a kahore ona hapanga i te taonga.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

He pai tana e mea ai ki a ia, kahore hoki he kino, i nga ra katoa e ora ai ia.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

E kimi ana ia i te huruhuru hipi, i te muka, a ka ngakau nui te mahi a ona ringa.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Ko tona rite kei nga kaipuke o nga kaihokohoko; e mauria mai ana e ia tana kai i tawhiti.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

E maranga ana hoki ia i te mea e po tonu ana, a hoatu ana e ia he kai ma tona whare, he mahi hoki e rite ana ma ana kotiro.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

E whakaaroaro ana ia ki tetahi mara, a ka hokona e ia: whakatokia ana e ia he mara waina, he hua na ona ringa.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

E whitiki ana ia i tona hope ki te kaha, e mea ana i ona takakau kia pakari.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Ka kite ia he pai tana i hokohoko ai: e kore tana rama e mate i te po.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Ka totoro atu ona ringa ki te mea takai miro, ka pupuri ona ringa ki te pou muka.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Ka wherahia tona ringa ki te ware; ae ra, ka totoro atu ona ringa ki te rawakore.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

E kore ia e wehi i te hukarere mo tona whare; no te mea kua kakahuria tona whare katoa ki te ngangana.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Oti ake i a ia te whatuwhatu he whariki mona; he rinena pai, he papura ona kakahu.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

E mohiotia ana tana tane i nga kuwaha, ina noho tahi ia ki nga kaumatua o te whenua.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

E hanga ana e ia he rinena pai, a hokona atu ana; e hoatu ana e ia he whitiki ki nga kaihoko.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

He kaha, he honore ona kakahu; a e kata ana ia ki nga ra o muri atu.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

He nui ona whakaaro ina puaki tona mangai; kei tona arero te ture o te atawhai.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Ka ata tirohia e ia nga ara o tona whare, e kore ano ia e kai i te taro o te mangere.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Ka whakatika ana tamariki, a he kupu manaaki ta ratou mona; Tana tane hoki, ka whakamoemiti ano ia ki a ia, ka mea:

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

He tokomaha nga tamahine i u te pai o ta ratou mahi, otiia hira ake tau i a ratou katoa.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

He mea teka noa te manako, he mea horihori te ataahua: tena ko te wahine e wehi ana i a Ihowa, ko ia e whakamoemititia.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Hoatu ki a ia o nga hua o ona ringa; a ma ana mahi ia e whakamoemiti i nga kuwaha.