Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
Waphendula uJobe wathi:
2 Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
“Lalamuhla ukusola kwami kulokhu kubuhlungu kabi, isandla sakhe siyasinda loba ngibubula kangaka.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!
Ngabe ngiyakwazi lapho engingamfumana khona; aluba nje bengingaya emzini wakhe!
4 I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
Bengizayibeka kuhle indaba yami phambi kwakhe ngigcwalise umlomo wami ngamazwi empikiswano.
5 I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
Bengizakuzwa ukuthi yena uphendula athini, ngikuhlolisise lokho akutshoyo.
6 Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.
Kambe angangiphikisa ngamandla na? Hatshi, angazake angethese cala.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Lapho umuntu oqotho ubengendlala indaba yakhe phambi kwakhe, njalo bengizakhululwa lanini kumahluleli wami.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there; ] and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
Kodwa nxa ngisiya empumalanga, yena kakho khona; nxa ngisiya entshonalanga, kangimfumani khona.
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him: ] he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him: ]
Nxa esemsebenzini enyakatho, kangimboni; angaphendukela eningizimu, kangiboni lokuthi tshazi kwakhe.
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Kodwa uyayazi indlela engihamba ngayo; nxa esengilingile, ngizaphuma senginjengegolide.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
Inyawo zami bezilokhu zilandelana lezinyathelo zakhe; ngalela endleleni yakhe angaze ngaphambuka.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].
Angigudlukanga emilayweni yezindebe zakhe; ngiwenze igugu amazwi omlomo wakhe ukwedlula isinkwa sami sansukuzonke.
13 But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
Kodwa uzimele yedwa, ngubani ongaphikisana laye na? Uyenza loba yini ayifunayo.
14 For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.
Uyagcwalisa isimiso sakhe ngami, njalo manengi amacebo anjalo awagcinileyo.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
Yikho-nje ngithuthumela ukuma phambi kwakhe; ngithi ngingakukhumbula konke lokhu ngimesabe.
16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
UNkulunkulu usenze inhliziyo yami yaphela amandla; uSomandla usengethusile.
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Kodwa kawuyikungithulisa umnyama lo, umnyama lo onzima ovala ubuso bami.”
