Job 29
1 And Job again took up the word and said,
Ayubu akaendelea na kusema,
2 If only I might again be as I was in the months which are past, in the days when God was watching over me!
Ee, ningekuwa kama nilivyokuwa miezi iliyopita wakati Mungu aliponiagalia,
3 When his light was shining over my head, and when I went through the dark by his light.
taa yake ilipowaka kichwani pangu, na pale nilipotembea gizani kwa nuru yake.
4 As I was in my flowering years, when my tent was covered by the hand of God;
Ee, kwamba ningekuwa kama nilivyokuwa katika siku za ujana wangu uhusiano wangu na Mungu ulivyokuwa mzuri,
5 While the Ruler of all was still with me, and my children were round me;
wakati Mwenyezi alipokuwa pamoja nami, na wanangu walipokuwa karibu nami,
6 When my steps were washed with milk, and rivers of oil were flowing out of the rock for me.
wakati maisha yangu yalipokuwa yamejawa na utele, na mwamba uliponichuruzishia chemichemi za mafuta.
7 When I went out of my door to go up to the town, and took my seat in the public place,
Nilipokwenda langoni mwa mji, nilipokaa katika eneo la mji,
8 The young men saw me, and went away, and the old men got up from their seats;
vijana waliniona na walikaa mbali kwa kuniheshimu, na wazee waliinuka na kusimama kwa ajili yangu.
9 The rulers kept quiet, and put their hands on their mouths;
Wana wa mfalme waliacha kuongea nilipofika; wangeweka mkono wao katika vinywa vyao.
10 The chiefs kept back their words, and their tongues were joined to the roofs of their mouths.
Sauti za waheshimiwa zililazimishwa, na ndimi zao hazikuweza kuongea vinywani mwao.
11 For when it came to their ears, men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness to me;
Kwani baada ya kunisikia, wangenibariki; waliponiona, wangeniona na kuniheshimu
12 For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter.
kwa maana nilikuwa nikiwasaidia masikini waliokuwa wakiteseka, na yatima, asiye na msaada.
13 The blessing of him who was near to destruction came on me, and I put a song of joy into the widow's heart.
Baraka zao waliokuwa karibu kuangamia zilinipata; niliufanya moyo wa mjane kuimba kwa furaha.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing, and was full of it; right decisions were to me a robe and a head-dress.
Nilijivika utakatifu, nao ulinifunika; haki yangu ilikuwa kama kanzu na kilemba.
15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking.
Niliwasaidia vipofu; niliwasaidia walemavu.
16 I was a father to the poor, searching out the cause of him who was strange to me.
Niliwasaidia wahitaji; niliwasaidia hata wasionijua.
17 By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away.
Nilimnyamazisha mwovu; nilimpokonya manusura kutoka katika meno yake.
18 Then I said, I will come to my end with my children round me, my days will be as the sand in number;
Kisha nilisema nitakufa mahali salama; nitazizidisha siku zangu kama mchanga.
19 My root will be open to the waters, and the night mist will be on my branches,
Mizizi yangu imeenea majini, na umande kukaa usiku wote katika matawi yangu.
20 My glory will be ever new, and my bow will be readily bent in my hand.
Heshima yangu ni mpya daima, na nguvu za upinde wangu zipo katika mkono wangu kila wakati.
21 Men gave ear to me, waiting and keeping quiet for my suggestions.
Watu walinisikiliza; walinisubiri; walisikiliza ushauri wangu.
22 After I had said what was in my mind, they were quiet and let my words go deep into their hearts;
Nilipo maliza kuongea hawakunena tena, maneno yangu yaliwatia nguvu kama mvua.
23 They were waiting for me as for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains.
Waliningoja kama kungoja mvua; waliyathamini maneno yangu, kama walivyotamani mvua iliyokawia.
24 I was laughing at them when they had no hope, and the light of my face was never clouded by their fear.
Niliwafurahia bila wao kutarajia; hawakukataa uzuri wa uso wangu.
25 I took my place as a chief, guiding them on their way, and I was as a king among his army. ...
Nilikuwa kama mfalme wao na kuwachagulia cha kufanya; nilikuwa kama mfalme katika jeshi lake, kama awafarijiye waombolezaji mazishini.
