Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued,
Kisha Elihu akasema:
2 “Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
“Sikieni maneno yangu, enyi watu wenye hekima; nisikilizeni mimi, ninyi watu wenye maarifa.
3 The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
Kwa kuwa sikio huyajaribu maneno kama vile ulimi uonjavyo chakula.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
Tujichagulie wenyewe yaliyo sawa, nasi tujifunze pamoja yaliyo mema.
5 Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
“Ayubu anasema, ‘Mimi sina hatia, lakini Mungu ameninyima haki yangu.
6 Even though I'm right, I'm treated like a liar; I am dying from my wounds, even though I've done nothing wrong.’
Ingawa niko sawa, ninaonekana mwongo; nami ingawa sina kosa, kidonda changu hakiponi.’
7 Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
Ni mtu gani aliye kama Ayubu, anywaye dharau kama maji?
8 He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
Ashirikianaye na watenda mabaya na kuchangamana na watu waovu.
9 He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
Kwa kuwa anasema, ‘Haimfaidi mwanadamu kitu chochote anapojitahidi kumpendeza Mungu.’
10 So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
“Hivyo nisikilizeni mimi, ninyi watu wenye ufahamu. Kamwe Mungu hatendi uovu, Mwenyezi hafanyi kosa.
11 He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
Humlipa mwanadamu kwa ajili ya lile alilotenda; huleta juu yake kile ambacho matendo yake yanastahili.
12 It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
Ni jambo lisiloweza kufikiriwa kwamba Mungu angefanya makosa, kwamba Mwenyezi angepotosha hukumu.
13 Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
Je, ni nani aliyemtawaza juu ya dunia? Ni nani aliyemweka kuwa mwangalizi wa ulimwengu wote?
14 If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
Kama lilikuwa kusudi la Mungu, naye akaiondoa Roho yake na pumzi yake,
15 all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
wanadamu wote wangeliangamia kwa pamoja, na mtu angerudi mavumbini.
16 If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
“Kama ninyi mnaufahamu, sikieni hili; sikilizeni hili nisemalo.
17 Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
Je, yeye aichukiaye haki aweza kutawala? Je, utamhukumu mwenye haki, Aliye na Nguvu Zote?
18 He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
Je, si ni yeye awaambiaye wafalme, ‘Ninyi hamfai kitu,’ nao watu mashuhuri, ‘Ninyi ni waovu,’
19 He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
yeye asiyependelea wakuu, wala haonyeshi upendeleo kwa matajiri kuliko maskini, kwa kuwa wote ni kazi ya mikono yake?
20 They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
Wanakufa ghafula, usiku wa manane; watu wanatikiswa nao hupita; wenye nguvu huondolewa bila mkono wa mwanadamu.
21 For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
“Macho yake yanazitazama njia za wanadamu; anaona kila hatua yao.
22 There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
Hakuna mahali penye giza nene, wala uvuli mkubwa, ambapo watenda mabaya wanaweza kujificha.
23 God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
Mungu hana haja ya kumchunguza mtu sana, ili apate kuja mbele zake kwa hukumu.
24 He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
Bila kuuliza huwapondaponda wenye nguvu nyingi na kuwaweka wengine mahali pao.
25 Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
Kwa sababu huyaangalia matendo yao yote, huwaondoa usiku, nao wakaangamia.
26 He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
Anawaadhibu kwa ajili ya uovu wao mahali ambapo kila mmoja ataweza kuwaona,
27 because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
kwa sababu wameacha kumfuata Mungu, nao hawakuiheshimu njia yake hata moja.
28 They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
Wamesababisha kilio cha maskini kifike mbele zake, hivyo akasikia kilio cha wahitaji.
29 Yet if God wants to remain silent, who can condemn him? If he chooses to hide his face, who can see him? Whether it concerns a nation or an individual,
Lakini kama akinyamaza kimya, ni nani awezaye kumhukumu? Kama akiuficha uso wake, ni nani awezaye kumwona? Ikiwa ni taifa au mtu mmoja, kwake ni sawa,
30 a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
ili kumzuia mtu mwovu kutawala, au wale ambao huwategea watu mitego.
31 If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
“Kama mwanadamu akimwambia Mungu, ‘Nimekosa lakini sitatenda dhambi tena.
32 Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
Nifundishe nisichoweza kuona; kama nimekukosea, sitafanya hivyo tena.’
33 then should God reward you for following your own opinions since you have rejected his? You're the one who has to choose, not me! Tell us what you think.
Je basi, Mungu atakulipa kwa masharti yako, wakati wewe umekataa kutubu? Yakupasa wewe uamue, wala si mimi; sasa niambie lile ulijualo.
34 For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
“Wanadamu wenye ufahamu husema, wenye hekima wanaonisikia huniambia,
35 ‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
‘Ayubu huongea bila maarifa; maneno yake hayana busara.’
36 If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
Laiti Ayubu angejaribiwa hadi kikomo cha mwisho, kwa sababu anajibu kama mtu mwovu!
37 Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
Kwenye dhambi yake huongeza uasi; kwa dharau hupiga makofi miongoni mwetu, na kuzidisha maneno yake dhidi ya Mungu.”
