< Job 4 >

1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:
Ndipo Elifazi Mtemani akajibu:
2 If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
“Kama mtu akithubutu kuzungumza nawe, kutakukasirisha? Lakini ni nani awezaye kujizuia asiseme?
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Fikiri jinsi ambavyo umewafundisha watu wengi, jinsi ambavyo umeitia nguvu mikono iliyokuwa dhaifu.
4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
Maneno yako yamewategemeza wale waliojikwaa; umeyatia nguvu magoti yaliyokuwa dhaifu.
5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou art weary; it toucheth thee, and thou art affrighted.
Lakini sasa hii taabu imekujia wewe, nawe unashuka moyo; imekupiga wewe, nawe unafadhaika.
6 Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
Je, kumcha Mungu kwako hakupaswi kuwa ndiyo matumaini yako na njia zako kutokuwa na lawama ndilo taraja lako?
7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
“Fikiri sasa: Ni mtu yupi asiye na hatia ambaye aliwahi kuangamia? Ni wapi wanyofu waliwahi kuangamizwa?
8 According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow mischief, reap the same.
Kwa jinsi ambavyo mimi nimechunguza, wale walimao ubaya na wale hupanda uovu, huvuna hayo hayo hayo.
9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed.
Kwa pumzi ya Mungu huangamizwa; kwa mshindo wa hasira zake huangamia.
10 The lion roareth, and the fierce lion howleth — yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.
Simba anaweza kunguruma na kukoroma, lakini bado meno ya simba mkubwa huvunjika.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
Simba anaweza kuangamia kwa kukosa mawindo, nao wana wa simba jike hutawanyika.
12 Now a word was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.
“Neno lililetwa kwangu kwa siri, masikio yangu yakasikia mnongʼono wake.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
Katikati ya ndoto za kutia wasiwasi wakati wa usiku, hapo usingizi mzito uwapatapo wanadamu,
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were made to shake.
hofu na kutetemeka kulinishika na kufanya mifupa yangu yote itetemeke.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face, that made the hair of my flesh to stand up.
Kuna roho aliyepita mbele ya uso wangu, nazo nywele za mwili wangu zikasimama.
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; a form was before mine eyes; I heard a still voice:
Yule roho akasimama, lakini sikuweza kutambua kilikuwa kitu gani. Umbo fulani lilisimama mbele ya macho yangu, kukawa na ukimya kisha nikasikia sauti:
17 'Shall mortal man be just before God? Shall a man be pure before his Maker?
‘Je, binadamu aweza kuwa mwadilifu kuliko Mungu? Je, mtu aweza kuwa safi kuliko Muumba wake?
18 Behold, He putteth no trust in His servants, and His angels He chargeth with folly;
Kama Mungu hawaamini watumishi wake, kama yeye huwalaumu malaika zake kwa kukosea,
19 How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
ni mara ngapi zaidi wale waishio katika nyumba za udongo wa mfinyanzi, ambazo misingi yake ipo mavumbini, ambao wamepondwa kama nondo!
20 Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered; they perish for ever without any regarding it.
Kati ya mawio na machweo huvunjwa vipande vipande; bila yeyote kutambua, huangamia milele.
21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.'
Je, kamba za hema yao hazikungʼolewa, hivyo hufa bila hekima?’

< Job 4 >