Job 24
1 Why are not times treasured up by the Almighty? And why do not they who know him see his days?
“Kwa nini Mwenyezi asiweke nyakati kwa ajili ya hukumu? Kwa nini wale wamjuao wazitafute siku kama hizo bila mafanikio?
2 They remove landmarks; They take away flocks by violence, and pasture them.
Watu husogeza mawe ya mpaka; huchunga makundi ya wanyama waliyonyangʼanya kwa nguvu.
3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, And take the widow's ox for a pledge.
Huwanyangʼanya yatima punda wao, na kumchukua rehani fahali wa mjane.
4 They push the needy from the way; All the poor of the land are forced to hide themselves.
Humsukuma mhitaji kutoka njia, na kuwafanya maskini wote wa nchi kulazimika kujificha.
5 Behold, like wild asses of the desert, they go forth to their work; They search for prey; The wilderness supplieth them food for their children.
Kama punda-mwitu jangwani, maskini huzunguka katika kazi zao za kutafuta chakula; mahali palipo jangwa huwapa chakula cha watoto wao.
6 In the fields they reap the harvest, And gather the vintage of the oppressor.
Hukusanya chakula mashambani na kuokota masazo katika mashamba ya mizabibu ya waovu.
7 They lodge naked, without clothing, And without covering from the cold.
Kwa kukosa nguo, usiku kucha hukaa uchi; hawana chochote cha kujifunika baridi.
8 They are drenched with the mountain showers, And embrace the rock for want of shelter.
Hutota kwa mvua za mlimani, nao huikumbatia miamba kwa ajili ya kukosa pa kujisitiri.
9 The fatherless are torn from the breast, And the garment of the needy is taken for a pledge.
Mtoto yatima hupokonywa matitini; mtoto wachanga wa maskini hunyakuliwa kwa ajili ya deni.
10 They go naked, without clothing, And carry the sheaf hungry.
Kwa kukosa nguo, hutembea uchi; hubeba miganda ya ngano, lakini huwa na njaa.
11 They make oil within their walls, And tread the wine-vat, yet suffer thirst.
Hukamua zeituni katika mawe ya kusagia; hukanyaga mashinikizo, lakini wanaona kiu.
12 From anguish the dying groan, And the wounded cry aloud; And God regardeth not their prayer!
Kilio cha huzuni cha wanaokufa kinapaa kutoka mjini, nazo nafsi za waliojeruhiwa zinalilia msaada. Lakini Mungu hamlaumu mtu yeyote kwa kutenda mabaya.
13 Others hate the light; They know not its ways, And abide not in its paths.
“Wako wale wanaoiasi nuru, wasiofahamu njia zake wala hawakai katika mapito yake.
14 With the light ariseth the murderer; He killeth the poor and needy; In the night he is as a thief.
Wakati mwanga wa mchana unapotoweka, muuaji huinuka naye huwaua maskini na mhitaji; wakati wa usiku hunyemelea kama mwizi.
15 The eye of the adulterer watcheth for the twilight; He saith, “No eye will see me,” And putteth a mask upon his face.
Jicho la mzinzi hungojea wakati wa giza, naye hufikiri, ‘Hakuna jicho litakaloniona,’ naye huuficha uso wake.
16 In the dark they break into houses; In the daytime they shut themselves up; They are strangers to the light.
Katika giza, huvunja majumba, lakini wakati wa mchana hujifungia ndani; hawataki kufanya lolote nuruni.
17 The morning is to them the very shadow of death; 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 Light are they on the face of the waters; They have an accursed portion in the earth; They come not near the vineyards.
“Lakini wao ni povu juu ya maji; sehemu yao juu ya nchi imelaaniwa, hivyo hakuna hata mmoja aendaye kwenye shamba la mizabibu.
Kama vile joto na hari vinyakuavyo theluji iliyoyeyuka, ndivyo kuzimu kuwanyakuavyo waliotenda dhambi. (Sheol h7585)
20 His own mother forgetteth him; The worm feedeth sweetly on him; He is no more remembered, And iniquity is broken like a tree.
Tumbo lililowazaa huwasahau, nao huwa karamu ya mabuu; watu waovu hawakumbukwi tena, lakini huvunjika kama mti.
21 He oppresseth the barren, that hath not borne, And doeth not good to the widow.
Huwafanya mawindo wanawake tasa na wasio na watoto, nao hawaonyeshi huruma kwa wajane.
22 He taketh away the mighty by his power; He riseth up, and no one is sure of life.
Lakini Mungu huwakokota wenye nguvu kwa uwezo wake; ingawa wamestawi, hawana hakika ya maisha.
23 God giveth them security, so that they are confident; His eyes are upon their ways.
Aweza akawaacha wakapumzika wakijihisi salama, lakini macho yake yanaona njia zao.
24 They are exalted; —in a little while they are gone! They are brought low, and die, like all others; And like the topmost ears of corn are they cut off.
Kwa kitambo kidogo hutukuka, hatimaye hutoweka; hushushwa na kukusanywa kama wengine wote, hukatwa kama masuke ya nafaka.
25 If it be not so, who will confute me, And show my discourse to be worthless?
“Kama hili sivyo, ni nani awezaye kunithibitisha kuwa mwongo, na kuyafanya maneno yangu kuwa si kitu?”
