< Job 21 >
1 Then Job answered and said:
Ndipo Ayubu akajibu:
2 Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
“Yasikilizeni maneno yangu kwa makini; hii na iwe faraja mnayonipa mimi.
3 Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
Nivumilieni ninapozungumza, nami nikishazungumza, endeleeni kunidhihaki.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
“Je, kwani malalamiko yangu yanaelekezwa kwa mwanadamu? Kwa nini nisikose subira?
5 Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
Niangalieni mkastaajabu; mkaweke mkono juu ya vinywa vyenu.
6 Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
Ninapowaza juu ya hili, ninaogopa, nao mwili wangu unatetemeka.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
Kwa nini waovu wanaendelea kuishi, wakifikia umri wa uzee na kuendelea kuwa na nguvu?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Huwaona watoto wao wakithibitika wakiwa wamewazunguka, wazao wao mbele za macho yao.
9 Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Nyumba zao zi salama wala hakuna hofu; fimbo ya Mungu haiko juu yao.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
Madume yao ya ngʼombe huvyaza bila kushindwa kamwe; ngʼombe wao huzaa wala hawaharibu mimba.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
Huwatoa watoto wao nje kama kundi; wadogo wao huchezacheza.
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
Huimba nyimbo kwa matari na kwa kinubi, nao huifurahia sauti ya filimbi.
13 They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave. (Sheol )
Huitumia miaka yao katika mafanikio nao hushuka kaburini kwa amani. (Sheol )
14 Yet they said unto God: 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.
Lakini humwambia Mungu, ‘Tuache sisi!’ Hatuna haja ya kufahamu njia zako.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?' —
Mwenyezi ni nani hata tumtumikie? Tutapata faida gani kumwomba?
16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Lakini kufanikiwa kwao hakupo mikononi mwao wenyewe, hivyo najitenga mbali na shauri la waovu.
17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? that their calamity cometh upon them? that He distributeth pains in His anger?
“Lakini ni mara ngapi taa ya waovu huzimwa? Ni mara ngapi maafa huwajia, yale yawapatayo ambayo Mungu huwapangia katika hasira yake?
18 That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
Ni mara ngapi huwa kama majani makavu mbele ya upepo, kama makapi yachukuliwayo na dhoruba?
19 'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' — let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.
Imesemekana, ‘Mungu huiweka akiba adhabu ya mtu kwa ajili ya wanawe.’ Mungu na amlipe mtu mwenyewe, ili apate kulijua!
20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
Macho yake mwenyewe na yaone maangamizi yake; yeye na ainywe ghadhabu ya Mwenyezi.
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
Kwani anajali nini kuhusu jamaa anayoiacha nyuma, miezi yake aliyopangiwa ifikapo mwisho?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.
“Je, yuko mtu yeyote awezaye kumfundisha Mungu maarifa, iwapo yeye ndiye ahukumuye hata walio juu ya wote?
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
Mtu mmoja hufa akiwa na nguvu zake kamili, akiwa salama na mwenye raha kamili,
24 His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
mwili wake ukiwa umenawiri, nayo mifupa yake ikiwa imejaa mafuta ndani yake.
25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
Mtu mwingine hufa katika uchungu wa nafsi, akiwa hajafurahia kamwe jambo lolote zuri.
26 They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
Hao wote hulala mavumbini, nao mabuu huwafunika wote.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
“Ninayajua kikamilifu yale mnayoyafikiri, mipango ambayo kwayo mngenitendea mabaya.
28 For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
Mwasema, ‘Iko wapi sasa nyumba ya huyo mtu mkuu, mahema ambayo watu waovu walikaa?’
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
Je, hamkuwahi kuwauliza hao wanaosafiri? Je, hamkutafakari taarifa zao:
30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
kwamba mtu mwovu huepushwa kutoka siku ya maafa, kwamba huokolewa kutoka siku ya ghadhabu?
31 But who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
Ni nani hulaumu matendo yake mbele ya uso wake? Ni nani ampatilizaye kwa yale aliyoyatenda?
32 For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
Hupelekwa kaburini, nao ulinzi ukawekwa kwenye kaburi lake.
33 The clods of the valley are sweet unto him, and all men draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.
Udongo ulio bondeni ni mtamu kwake; watu wote watamfuata, nao umati wa watu usiohesabika umemtangulia.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?
“Hivyo ninyi mnawezaje kunifariji kwa upuzi wenu? Hakuna kilichosalia cha majibu yenu isipokuwa uongo!”