Job 29
1 And Job again took up his measure, and said,
Ayubu akaendelea na kusema,
2 Oh that it were with me as in the months of old, as in the days, when, GOD, used to watch over me;
Ee, ningekuwa kama nilivyokuwa miezi iliyopita wakati Mungu aliponiagalia,
3 When his lamp shone over my head, by whose light, I could go through darkness;
taa yake ilipowaka kichwani pangu, na pale nilipotembea gizani kwa nuru yake.
4 As I was, in the days of my prime, when, the intimacy of GOD, was over my tent;
Ee, kwamba ningekuwa kama nilivyokuwa katika siku za ujana wangu uhusiano wangu na Mungu ulivyokuwa mzuri,
5 While yet the Almighty was with me, round about me, were my young men;
wakati Mwenyezi alipokuwa pamoja nami, na wanangu walipokuwa karibu nami,
6 When my steps were bathed in milk, and, the rock, poured out beside me, rivulets of oil:
wakati maisha yangu yalipokuwa yamejawa na utele, na mwamba uliponichuruzishia chemichemi za mafuta.
7 When I went out to the gate unto the city, in the open place, made ready my seat,
Nilipokwenda langoni mwa mji, nilipokaa katika eneo la mji,
8 Young men saw me, and hid themselves, and, the aged, arose—they stood;
vijana waliniona na walikaa mbali kwa kuniheshimu, na wazee waliinuka na kusimama kwa ajili yangu.
9 Rulers, restrained speech, and, a hand, laid they on their mouth;
Wana wa mfalme waliacha kuongea nilipofika; wangeweka mkono wao katika vinywa vyao.
10 The voice of nobles, was hushed, and their tongue to their palate, did cleave;
Sauti za waheshimiwa zililazimishwa, na ndimi zao hazikuweza kuongea vinywani mwao.
11 When, the ear, heard, then it pronounced me happy, When, the eye, saw, then it bare me witness;
Kwani baada ya kunisikia, wangenibariki; waliponiona, wangeniona na kuniheshimu
12 Because I used to deliver the oppressed who was crying out for aid, the fatherless also, and him that had no helper;
kwa maana nilikuwa nikiwasaidia masikini waliokuwa wakiteseka, na yatima, asiye na msaada.
13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish, upon me was wont to descend, and, the heart of the widow, caused I to sing for joy;
Baraka zao waliokuwa karibu kuangamia zilinipata; niliufanya moyo wa mjane kuimba kwa furaha.
14 Righteousness, I put on, and it clothed me, Like a robe and turban, was my, justice;
Nilijivika utakatifu, nao ulinifunika; haki yangu ilikuwa kama kanzu na kilemba.
15 Eyes, became I to the, blind, and, feet to the lame, was, I!
Niliwasaidia vipofu; niliwasaidia walemavu.
16 A father, was, I, to the needy, and, as for the cause which I knew not, I used to search it out;
Niliwasaidia wahitaji; niliwasaidia hata wasionijua.
17 And I shivered the fangs of the perverse, —and, out of his teeth, I tare the prey.
Nilimnyamazisha mwovu; nilimpokonya manusura kutoka katika meno yake.
18 Then said I, Like a stem, shall I grow old, yea, as the sand, shall I multiply days:
Kisha nilisema nitakufa mahali salama; nitazizidisha siku zangu kama mchanga.
19 My root, is laid open to the waters, and, the dew, shall lodge for the night in my boughs;
Mizizi yangu imeenea majini, na umande kukaa usiku wote katika matawi yangu.
20 Mine honour, shall be young again with me, and, my bow, in my hand, be renewed.
Heshima yangu ni mpya daima, na nguvu za upinde wangu zipo katika mkono wangu kila wakati.
21 To me, men hearkened, and waited, and kept silence for my counsel;
Watu walinisikiliza; walinisubiri; walisikiliza ushauri wangu.
22 After I had spoken, they spake not again, and, upon them, used my speech to drop;
Nilipo maliza kuongea hawakunena tena, maneno yangu yaliwatia nguvu kama mvua.
23 And they waited, as for rain, for me, and, their mouths, they opened wide for the spring-rain;
Waliningoja kama kungoja mvua; waliyathamini maneno yangu, kama walivyotamani mvua iliyokawia.
24 I laughed at them—they lost confidence, and, the light of my countenance, they suffered not to fail;
Niliwafurahia bila wao kutarajia; hawakukataa uzuri wa uso wangu.
25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, —and abode, as king, in an army, as one who, to mourners, giveth comfort.
Nilikuwa kama mfalme wao na kuwachagulia cha kufanya; nilikuwa kama mfalme katika jeshi lake, kama awafarijiye waombolezaji mazishini.
