Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
Waphendula uJobe wathi:
2 Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.
“Lalamuhla ukusola kwami kulokhu kubuhlungu kabi, isandla sakhe siyasinda loba ngibubula kangaka.
3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
Ngabe ngiyakwazi lapho engingamfumana khona; aluba nje bengingaya emzini wakhe!
4 And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.
Bengizayibeka kuhle indaba yami phambi kwakhe ngigcwalise umlomo wami ngamazwi empikiswano.
5 And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.
Bengizakuzwa ukuthi yena uphendula athini, ngikuhlolisise lokho akutshoyo.
6 Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;
Kambe angangiphikisa ngamandla na? Hatshi, angazake angethese cala.
7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.
Lapho umuntu oqotho ubengendlala indaba yakhe phambi kwakhe, njalo bengizakhululwa lanini kumahluleli wami.
8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
Kodwa nxa ngisiya empumalanga, yena kakho khona; nxa ngisiya entshonalanga, kangimfumani khona.
9 When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].
Nxa esemsebenzini enyakatho, kangimboni; angaphendukela eningizimu, kangiboni lokuthi tshazi kwakhe.
10 For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
Kodwa uyayazi indlela engihamba ngayo; nxa esengilingile, ngizaphuma senginjengegolide.
11 And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,
Inyawo zami bezilokhu zilandelana lezinyathelo zakhe; ngalela endleleni yakhe angaze ngaphambuka.
12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
Angigudlukanga emilayweni yezindebe zakhe; ngiwenze igugu amazwi omlomo wakhe ukwedlula isinkwa sami sansukuzonke.
13 And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.
Kodwa uzimele yedwa, ngubani ongaphikisana laye na? Uyenza loba yini ayifunayo.
Uyagcwalisa isimiso sakhe ngami, njalo manengi amacebo anjalo awagcinileyo.
15 Therefore am I troubled at him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.
Yikho-nje ngithuthumela ukuma phambi kwakhe; ngithi ngingakukhumbula konke lokhu ngimesabe.
16 But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
UNkulunkulu usenze inhliziyo yami yaphela amandla; uSomandla usengethusile.
17 For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.
Kodwa kawuyikungithulisa umnyama lo, umnyama lo onzima ovala ubuso bami.”
