Yobu 22
1 Awo Erifaazi Omutemani n’addamu n’ayogera nti,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 “Omuntu ayinza okugasa Katonda? Wadde oyo ow’amagezi ayinza okumuyamba?
Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.
3 Ayinzabyonna yandifunye kwesiima ki singa wali mutuukirivu? Yandiganyuddwa ki singa amakubo go gaali magolokofu?
Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?
4 “Akukangavvula lwa kumutya era kyava akuvunaana?
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 Okwonoona kwo si kunene nnyo? Ebibi byo si bingi nnyo?
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 Kubanga waggya ku muganda wo emisingo awatali nsonga; waggya engoye ku bantu, n’obaleka bwereere.
For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it.
7 Tewawa bakoowu mazzi, abaagala wabamma emmere,
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 wadde nga wali musajja wa maanyi, eyalina ettaka, omusajja ow’ekitiibwa, era nga byonna ggwe nnyini byo.
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 Weegobako bannamwandu bagende nga toliiko ky’obawadde; abatalina bakitaabwe n’obamalamu amaanyi.
You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 Emitego kyegivudde gikwetooloola. Lwaki entiisa ey’amangu ekujjira?
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 Lwaki enzikiza ekutte nnyo tosobola kulaba, era lwaki amataba gakubikkako?
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 “Katonda tali waggulu mu ggulu? Era laba, emmunyeenye ezisingayo okuba waggulu, nga bwe ziri ewala!
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 Ate n’ogamba nti, ‘Katonda amanyi ki? Ayinza okulamulira mu kizikiza?
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 Ebire ebikutte bimubikkako, n’aba ng’atatulaba bw’aba atambula mu bifo by’omu ggulu.’
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 Onoosigala mu kkubo ery’edda abasajja abakozi b’ebibi lye baakwata?
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 Baatwalibwa ng’ekiseera kyabwe tekinnatuuka, emisingi gyabwe gyatwalibwa amataba.
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 Be bagamba Katonda nti, ‘Tulekere emirembe! Ayinzabyonna ayinza kutukola ki?’
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 Ate nga ye, ye yajjuza ennyumba zaabwe ebintu ebirungi, noolwekyo neewuunya nnyo amagezi g’abakozi b’ebibi.
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 Abatuukirivu balaba okuzikirira kwabwe ne bajaguza; abataliiko musango babasekerera nga bagamba nti,
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 ‘Ddala abalabe baffe bazikiridde, era omuliro gulidde obugagga bwabwe.’
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 “Gonderanga Katonda ofunenga emirembe; mu ngeri eno ebirungi lwe binajjanga gy’oli.
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 Kkiriza ebiragiro ebiva mu kamwa ke era oteeke ebigambo bye mu mutima gwo.
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 Bw’onodda eri oyo Ayinzabyonna, onodda buggya, bwonooteeka ebibi ewala ne weema yo,
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 n’oteeka n’amayinja go ag’omuwendo mu ttaka, zaabu yo eya Ofiri ku njazi z’omu mugga,
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 awo Ayinzabyonna anaabeeranga zaabu yo, era ffeeza esingayo obulungi.
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 Ddala ddala olisanyukira mu oyo Ayinzabyonna era oyimuse amaaso go eri Katonda.
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 Olimusaba, alikuwulira, era olituukiriza obweyamo bwo.
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 Ky’olisalawo kirikolebwa, era ekitangaala kirimulisa amakubo go.
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 Abantu abalala bwe balisuulibwa n’ogamba nti, ‘Bayimuse!’ Olwo alirokola abagudde.
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 Alinunula n’oyo aliko omusango, alinunulwa olw’obulongoofu bw’emikono gyo.”
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
