Job 17
1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
Umoya wami wonakele, insuku zami zicitshiwe, amangcwaba ngawami.
2 Are there not mockers with me? and does not my eye continue in their provocation?
Kabakho lami yini abaklolodayo, lelihlo lami lichitha ubusuku ekuvukeleni kwabo?
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with you; who is he that will strike hands with me?
Akubeke isibambiso sami kuwe; ngubani yena ozatshaya esandleni sami?
4 For you have hid their heart from understanding: therefore shall you not exalt them.
Ngoba inhliziyo yabo uyifihlele ukuqedisisa; ngenxa yalokhu kawuyikubaphakamisa.
5 He that speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
Okhuluma ngokuyenga kubangane, lamehlo abantwana bakhe azafiphala.
6 He has made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
Njalo ungimise ngaba yisaga sezizwe, ngaze ngaba ngokhafulelwayo phambi kwazo.
7 My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.
Njalo ilihlo lami lifiphele ngosizi, lamalunga ami anjengesithunzi wonke.
8 Upright men shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
Abaqotho bazakwethuswa yikho, longelacala uvukela ongamesabiyo uNkulunkulu.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
Lolungileyo uzabambelela endleleni yakhe, lolezandla ezihlambulukileyo uzakwengeza amandla.
10 But as for you all, do you return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
Kodwa-ke lina lonke, phendukani ake libuye, ngoba kangitholi ohlakaniphileyo phakathi kwenu.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
Insuku zami zedlule, amacebo ami adabuke phakathi, lezifiso zenhliziyo yami.
12 They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
Bamisa ubusuku bube yimini; ukukhanya kuseduze phambi kobumnyama.
Uba ngilinda, ingcwaba lizakuba yindlu yami; ngendlala umbheda wami emnyameni. (Sheol h7585)
14 I have said to corruption, You are my father: to the worm, You are my mother, and my sister.
Ngibiza ingcwaba ngisithi: Wena ungubaba; impethu ngisithi: Umama lodadewethu.
15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
Pho-ke ithemba lami lingaphi? Yebo, ithemba lami ngubani ozalibona?
