Job 21
1 Then Job answered and said:
Kisha Ayubu akajibu na kusema,
2 Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
“Sikilizeni hotuba yangu kwa makini, hii na iwe faraja yenu.
3 Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
Nimeteswa, lakini pia nitasema; nikisha kusema, endeleeni kudhihaki.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
Lakini kwangu mimi, malalamikio yangu ni kwa mtu? Kwa nini nisiwe mwenye subira?
5 Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
Nitazameni na mshangae, nanyi wekeni mkono wenu midomoni mwenu.
6 Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
Ninapoyafikiria mateso yangu, ninaumizwa, mwili wangu unaogopa.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
Kwa nini waovu wanaendelea kuishi, wanazeeka, na kuwa na uwezo katika madaraka?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Wazao wao wanathibitishwa mbele zao, na uzao wao unaimarika machoni pao.
9 Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Nyumba zao ziko salama mbali na hofu; wala fimbo ya Mungu haiko juu yao.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
Dume lao la ng'ombe linazalisha; halishindwi kufanya hivyo; ng'ombe wao anazaa na hafishi ndama wake akiwa mchanga.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
Wanawapeleka wadogo wao kama kundi la kondoo, na watoto wao hucheza.
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
Wanaimba kwa tari na vinubi na hufurahi kwa muziki na zomari.
Wanatumia siku zao katika mafanikio, na wanashuka kuzimu kwa utulivu. (Sheol h7585)
14 Yet they said unto God: 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.
Wanamwambia Mungu, 'Ondoka kwetu kwani hatutaki ufahamu wowote juu ya njia zako.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?' —
Mwenye enzi ni nani, hata tumwabudu? Tutafaidika na nini tukimwabudu? Tutapata faida gani ikiwa tutamwomba?
16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Tazama, je mafanikio yao hayamo katika mikono yao wenyewe? Sina cha kufanya na ushauri wa 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?
Mara ngapi taa za waovu huzimwa, au kwamba majanga huja juu yao? Mara ngapi inatokea kwamba Mungu husambaza huzuni kwao kwa hasira?
18 That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
Ni mara ngapi inatokea kwamba wanakuwa kama mabua mbele ya upepo au kama makapi yanayopeperushwa na dhoruba?
19 'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' — let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.
Mnasema, 'Mungu huweka hatia ya mtu kwa watoto wake kuilipa.' Na alipe yeye mwenyewe, ili kwamba aweze kujua hatia yake mwenyewe.
20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
Acha macho yake yaone uangamivu wake mwenyewe, na acha anywe gadhabu ya Mwenyezi.
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
Kwani anaangaliaje familia yake mbele yake idadi ya miezi yake inapokwisha.
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.
Je kuna mtu anaweza kumfundisha Mungu maarifa kwa kuwa yeye huwaukumu hata walio juu?
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
Mtu mmoja ufa katika nguvu zake kamili, akiwa na utulivu kabisa na kwa amani.
24 His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
Mwili wake hauna uhitaji, na kiini cha mifupa yake ina unyevu na afya njema.
25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
Mtu mwingine ufa kwa uchungu wa nafsi, bila kujifurahisha kwa jambo lolote jema.
26 They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
Wanazikwa kaburini wote kwa pamoja, funza wanawafunika wote.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
Tazama, nayajua mawazo yenu, na jinsi mnavyotaka kunikosesha.
28 For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
Kwa kuwa mwasema, 'Iko wapi sasa nyumba ya mwana wa mfalme? Liko wapi kao alipokaa mwovu?'
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
Je hamjawauliza wasafiri? Hamfahamu wanavyoweza kusema,
30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
kwamba mwovu anaepushwa na siku ya shida, na kwamba anawekwa mbali na siku ya gadhabu?
31 But who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
Ni nani atakaye ituhumu siku ya mwovu mbele yake? Ni nani atakayemwadhibu kwa alichokifanya?
32 For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
Hata hivyo atapelekwa kaburini; watu wataliona 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 wa bondeni utakuwa mtamu kwake; watu wote watamfuata, hata kuwe na watu wengi mbele yake.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?
Ni jinsi gani basi mtanifariji bila kufikiri, kwa kuwa majibu yenu hayana lolote ila uongo?”
