Job 21
1 Then answered Job, and said,
Ndipo Ayubu akajibu:
2 Hear, O hear my speech, and let this be wherewith you give consolations.
“Yasikilizeni maneno yangu kwa makini; hii na iwe faraja mnayonipa mimi.
3 Bear with me that I may indeed speak: and after my speaking, then canst thou mock.
Nivumilieni ninapozungumza, nami nikishazungumza, endeleeni kunidhihaki.
4 As for me, —is against man my complaint? and if this be so, why should my spirit not be impatient?
“Je, kwani malalamiko yangu yanaelekezwa kwa mwanadamu? Kwa nini nisikose subira?
5 Turn yourselves unto me, and be astounded, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
Niangalieni mkastaajabu; mkaweke mkono juu ya vinywa vyenu.
6 Yea, when I think of it, I am terrified, and shuddering seizeth hold of my flesh.
Ninapowaza juu ya hili, ninaogopa, nao mwili wangu unatetemeka.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, grow strong in power?
Kwa nini waovu wanaendelea kuishi, wakifikia umri wa uzee na kuendelea kuwa na nguvu?
8 Their seed is firmly established in their presence with them. their offspring are before their eyes.
Huwaona watoto wao wakithibitika wakiwa wamewazunguka, wazao wao mbele za macho yao.
9 Their houses are at peace without any dread, and no rod of God [cometh] over them.
Nyumba zao zi salama wala hakuna hofu; fimbo ya Mungu haiko juu yao.
10 The bull of each one gendereth, and disappointeth not: the cow of each one calveth, and casteth not her young.
Madume yao ya ngʼombe huvyaza bila kushindwa kamwe; ngʼombe wao huzaa wala hawaharibu mimba.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children skip about [with joy].
Huwatoa watoto wao nje kama kundi; wadogo wao huchezacheza.
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
Huimba nyimbo kwa matari na kwa kinubi, nao huifurahia sauti ya filimbi.
13 They wear out their days in happiness, and in a moment they go down to the nether world. (Sheol h7585)
Huitumia miaka yao katika mafanikio nao hushuka kaburini kwa amani. (Sheol h7585)
14 And yet they say unto God, “Depart from us; and the knowledge of thy ways we desire not.
Lakini humwambia Mungu, ‘Tuache sisi!’ Hatuna haja ya kufahamu njia zako.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit shall we have, if we entreat him urgently?”
Mwenyezi ni nani hata tumtumikie? Tutapata faida gani kumwomba?
16 Lo, not in their hand doth their happiness rest! The counsel of the wicked be [still] far from me.
Lakini kufanikiwa kwao hakupo mikononi mwao wenyewe, hivyo najitenga mbali na shauri la waovu.
17 How often is the lamp of the wicked quenched? and how often cometh over them their calamity? and doth [God] distribute their lot in his anger?
“Lakini ni mara ngapi taa ya waovu huzimwa? Ni mara ngapi maafa huwajia, yale yawapatayo ambayo Mungu huwapangia katika hasira yake?
18 Are they as straw before the wind, and as chaff which the stealeth away?
Ni mara ngapi huwa kama majani makavu mbele ya upepo, kama makapi yachukuliwayo na dhoruba?
19 Should God lay up for his children his wrong-doing? it were better that he reward him, that he might know it himself.
Imesemekana, ‘Mungu huiweka akiba adhabu ya mtu kwa ajili ya wanawe.’ Mungu na amlipe mtu mwenyewe, ili apate kulijua!
20 His own eyes ought to see his downfall, and from the wrath of the Almighty ought he to drink.
Macho yake mwenyewe na yaone maangamizi yake; yeye na ainywe ghadhabu ya Mwenyezi.
21 For what care hath he for his household after him, when the number of his months is all apportioned to him?
Kwani anajali nini kuhusu jamaa anayoiacha nyuma, miezi yake aliyopangiwa ifikapo mwisho?
22 Is this fitting God, who teacheth knowledge? him who judgeth those that are highest?
“Je, yuko mtu yeyote awezaye kumfundisha Mungu maarifa, iwapo yeye ndiye ahukumuye hata walio juu ya wote?
23 That this one dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
Mtu mmoja hufa akiwa na nguvu zake kamili, akiwa salama na mwenye raha kamili,
24 His vessels being full of healthy fluid, and the marrow of his bones being well moistened:
mwili wake ukiwa umenawiri, nayo mifupa yake ikiwa imejaa mafuta ndani yake.
25 While this other dieth with an embittered soul, and hath never partaken of any happiness;
Mtu mwingine hufa katika uchungu wa nafsi, akiwa hajafurahia kamwe jambo lolote zuri.
26 [And yet] together they must lie down in the dust, and the worms will cover them?
Hao wote hulala mavumbini, nao mabuu huwafunika wote.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the opinions which ye wrongfully devise against me.
“Ninayajua kikamilifu yale mnayoyafikiri, mipango ambayo kwayo mngenitendea mabaya.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the noble-minded? and where is the tent of the dwelling-places of the wicked?
Mwasema, ‘Iko wapi sasa nyumba ya huyo mtu mkuu, mahema ambayo watu waovu walikaa?’
29 Have ye not asked the wayfarers? surely their token ye cannot disregard,
Je, hamkuwahi kuwauliza hao wanaosafiri? Je, hamkutafakari taarifa zao:
30 That the bad man is reserved for the day of calamity, [that the wicked] are carried forward to the day of wrath.
kwamba mtu mwovu huepushwa kutoka siku ya maafa, kwamba huokolewa kutoka siku ya ghadhabu?
31 [But] who will tell him to his face of his way? and who will repay him what he hath done?
Ni nani hulaumu matendo yake mbele ya uso wake? Ni nani ampatilizaye kwa yale aliyoyatenda?
32 Yea he will indeed be carried to the grave, and men will quickly think of his monument:
Hupelekwa kaburini, nao ulinzi ukawekwa kwenye kaburi lake.
33 Sweet are to him the clods of the valley; and after him succeedeth every man, as those that were before him are without number.
Udongo ulio bondeni ni mtamu kwake; watu wote watamfuata, nao umati wa watu usiohesabika umemtangulia.
34 How then will ye comfort me with vanity? and of your answers there remaineth only deception.
“Hivyo ninyi mnawezaje kunifariji kwa upuzi wenu? Hakuna kilichosalia cha majibu yenu isipokuwa uongo!”
