Job 23
1 Then answered Job, and said,
Wasephendula uJobe wathi:
2 Even now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.
Lalamuhla isikhalazo sami silokubaba; isandla sami sinzima phezu kokububula kwami.
3 Oh who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment throne!
Kungathi ngabe ngiyazi lapho engingamthola khona! Bengingeza enkundleni yakhe!
4 I would put in order before him my cause, and my mouth would I fill with arguments.
Ngibeke kuhle udaba lwami phambi kwakhe, ngigcwalise umlomo wami ngokuphikisa.
5 I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.
Bengingawazi amazwi azangiphendula ngawo, ngiqedisise azakutsho kimi.
6 Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.
Uzaphikisana lami ngobukhulu bamandla yini? Hatshi, kodwa uzabeka inhliziyo yakhe kimi.
7 There would an upright one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by my judge.
Lapho oqotho angaphikisana laye; ngakho bengizaphepha phakade kumahluleli wami.
8 But, lo, I go eastward—and he is not there; and to the west— and I cannot perceive him;
Khangelani ngiya phambili, kodwa kakho, lemuva, kodwa kangimboni.
9 When he doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the south—and I see him not.
Ngakwesokhohlo ekusebenzeni kwakhe, kodwa kangimboni; uyacatsha ngakwesokunene, kodwa kangimboni.
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: were he to probe me, I should come forth as gold.
Kanti uyayazi indlela elami; kangihlole, ngizaphuma njengegolide.
11 On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.
Unyawo lwami lubambelele enyathelweni lakhe, ngiyigcinile indlela yakhe, kangiphambukanga.
12 From the commandment of his lips have I also not moved away: as a fixed statute for me have I treasured up the sayings of his mouth.
Kangisukanga lemlayweni wezindebe zakhe, ngawalondoloza amazwi omlomo wakhe okwedlula isabelo sami.
13 But he is unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.
Kodwa yena ukokukodwa, ngubani-ke ongambuyisela emuva? Lokho umphefumulo wakhe okufisayo uyakwenza.
14 For he will bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things with him.
Ngoba uzaphelelisa engikumiselweyo; lezinto ezinengi ezinjalo zikuye.
15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.
Ngenxa yalokho ngitshaywa luvalo phambi kwakhe; ngicabanga, ngiyamesaba.
16 Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath terrified me;
Ngoba uNkulunkulu wenze inhliziyo yami yaphela amandla, loSomandla ungethusile.
17 Because I was not destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face [this] gloom.
Ngoba kangiqunywanga phambi komnyama, wagubuzela ubumnyama ebusweni bami.
