Job 24
1 Why are not times [of punishment] treasured up by the Almighty, and why do his adorers not see his days [of retribution]?
“Kwa nini Mwenyezi asiweke nyakati kwa ajili ya hukumu? Kwa nini wale wamjuao wazitafute siku kama hizo bila mafanikio?
2 [The wicked] remove landmarks: they rob flocks, and feed them.
Watu husogeza mawe ya mpaka; huchunga makundi ya wanyama waliyonyangʼanya kwa nguvu.
3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take in pledge the widow's ox.
Huwanyangʼanya yatima punda wao, na kumchukua rehani fahali wa mjane.
4 They chase the needy out of the highway: altogether hide themselves the poor of the earth.
Humsukuma mhitaji kutoka njia, na kuwafanya maskini wote wa nchi kulazimika kujificha.
5 Behold, as wild asses in the wilderness go they forth to their work, rising betimes after [their] prey: the desert yieldeth food for them and for their young men.
Kama punda-mwitu jangwani, maskini huzunguka katika kazi zao za kutafuta chakula; mahali palipo jangwa huwapa chakula cha watoto wao.
6 In the field they reap their food; and in the vineyard of the wicked they gather the fruit.
Hukusanya chakula mashambani na kuokota masazo katika mashamba ya mizabibu ya waovu.
7 They cause [the poor] to spend the night naked, without clothing and without any covering in the cold.
Kwa kukosa nguo, usiku kucha hukaa uchi; hawana chochote cha kujifunika baridi.
8 Through the sweeping rain of the mountains are they made wet, and for want of a shelter do they embrace the rock.
Hutota kwa mvua za mlimani, nao huikumbatia miamba kwa ajili ya kukosa pa kujisitiri.
9 The others pluck from the breast the fatherless, and the garment of the poor they take in pledge.
Mtoto yatima hupokonywa matitini; mtoto wachanga wa maskini hunyakuliwa kwa ajili ya deni.
10 They cause him to go naked without clothing, and from the hungry they take away the sheaf:
Kwa kukosa nguo, hutembea uchi; hubeba miganda ya ngano, lakini huwa na njaa.
11 Within their walls do they make oil, they tread their wine-presses, and suffer thirst.
Hukamua zeituni katika mawe ya kusagia; hukanyaga mashinikizo, lakini wanaona kiu.
12 Out of a populous city is groaning heard, and the soul of the deadly wounded crieth out: yet God regardeth it not as an offence.
Kilio cha huzuni cha wanaokufa kinapaa kutoka mjini, nazo nafsi za waliojeruhiwa zinalilia msaada. Lakini Mungu hamlaumu mtu yeyote kwa kutenda mabaya.
13 Yon men are of those that rebel against the light: they know not its ways, nor abide in its paths.
“Wako wale wanaoiasi nuru, wasiofahamu njia zake wala hawakai katika mapito yake.
14 With the earliest light riseth the murderer, he slayeth the poor and needy, and in the night he becometh like the thief.
Wakati mwanga wa mchana unapotoweka, muuaji huinuka naye huwaua maskini na mhitaji; wakati wa usiku hunyemelea kama mwizi.
15 And the eye of the adulterer watcheth for the twilight, saying, No eye will see me; and placeth a covering on his face.
Jicho la mzinzi hungojea wakati wa giza, naye hufikiri, ‘Hakuna jicho litakaloniona,’ naye huuficha uso wake.
16 They break into houses in the dark, in the daytime they lock themselves in: they know not the light.
Katika giza, huvunja majumba, lakini wakati wa mchana hujifungia ndani; hawataki kufanya lolote nuruni.
17 For to all of these alike is the morning as the shadow of death; for they are familiar with the terrors of the shadow of death.
Kwa wote hawa, giza nene ndiyo asubuhi yao; hujifanya rafiki na vitisho vya gizani.
18 Swift are such men [to flee] on the face of the water; accursed is their field on the land; none of them turneth himself to the way, of the vineyards.
“Lakini wao ni povu juu ya maji; sehemu yao juu ya nchi imelaaniwa, hivyo hakuna hata mmoja aendaye kwenye shamba la mizabibu.
19 Drought and heat speedily consume the snow-waters: so doth the grave those who have sinned. (Sheol h7585)
Kama vile joto na hari vinyakuavyo theluji iliyoyeyuka, ndivyo kuzimu kuwanyakuavyo waliotenda dhambi. (Sheol h7585)
20 The mother that bore such a one will forget him; the worm will feed sweetly on him; he will be no more remembered; and like a tree will wickedness be broken.
Tumbo lililowazaa huwasahau, nao huwa karamu ya mabuu; watu waovu hawakumbukwi tena, lakini huvunjika kama mti.
21 He ill-treateth the barren that heareth not; and to the widow he acteth not well.
Huwafanya mawindo wanawake tasa na wasio na watoto, nao hawaonyeshi huruma kwa wajane.
22 But he also draweth down the mighty with his power: he riseth up, no one is sure of life.
Lakini Mungu huwakokota wenye nguvu kwa uwezo wake; ingawa wamestawi, hawana hakika ya maisha.
23 To such [God] granteth to be in safety, that he may find support; and His eyes are upon their ways.
Aweza akawaacha wakapumzika wakijihisi salama, lakini macho yake yanaona njia zao.
24 They are exalted; in but a little while they are no more; and they are brought down low: like all others are they gathered in, and like the top of the ear of corn are they cut off.
Kwa kitambo kidogo hutukuka, hatimaye hutoweka; hushushwa na kukusanywa kama wengine wote, hukatwa kama masuke ya nafaka.
25 But if it be not so, who will prove me a liar, and render nought my word?
“Kama hili sivyo, ni nani awezaye kunithibitisha kuwa mwongo, na kuyafanya maneno yangu kuwa si kitu?”
