Yobu 29
1 Yobu n’ayongera okwogera nti,
And Job again took up his measure, and said,
2 “Nga nneegomba emyezi egyayita, ennaku Katonda mwe yali nga y’andabirira,
Oh that it were with me as in the months of old, as in the days, when, GOD, used to watch over me;
3 ettaala ye bwe yayakiranga omutwe gwange, n’ekitangaala kye bwe kyanjakiranga nga ntambulira mu kizikiza.
When his lamp shone over my head, by whose light, I could go through darkness;
4 Mu biro we nabeerera ow’amaanyi, omukwano gwa Katonda omuyitirivu nga gukuuma amaka gange,
As I was, in the days of my prime, when, the intimacy of GOD, was over my tent;
5 Ayinzabyonna bwe yali ng’akyali nange n’abaana bange nga bakyanneetoolodde,
While yet the Almighty was with me, round about me, were my young men;
6 n’ekkubo lyange nga lisiigiddwa omuzigo n’olwazi nga lunfukirira omugga ogw’amafuta.
When my steps were bathed in milk, and, the rock, poured out beside me, rivulets of oil:
7 “Bwe nalaganga ku mulyango gw’ekibuga ne ntuula ku ntebe mu kifo we baakubiranga enkiiko,
When I went out to the gate unto the city, in the open place, made ready my seat,
8 abavubuka abato bandabanga ne badda ebbali, abakadde ne basituka ne bayimirira;
Young men saw me, and hid themselves, and, the aged, arose—they stood;
9 abakungu ab’oku ntikko ne balekeraawo okwogera, ne bakwata ne ku mimwa;
Rulers, restrained speech, and, a hand, laid they on their mouth;
10 ab’ebitiibwa ne balekeraawo okwogera, ennimi zaabwe ne zeesibira waggulu mu kamwa.
The voice of nobles, was hushed, and their tongue to their palate, did cleave;
11 Buli kutu okwampuliranga nga kwesiima, era n’abo abandabanga nga basiima
When, the ear, heard, then it pronounced me happy, When, the eye, saw, then it bare me witness;
12 kubanga nawonyanga abaavu abaakaabiranga obuyambi, n’abatalina bakitaabwe abatalina abayamba.
Because I used to deliver the oppressed who was crying out for aid, the fatherless also, and him that had no helper;
13 Omusajja ng’afa, y’ansabira omukisa, ne ndeetera omutima gwa nnamwandu okuyimba.
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;
14 Ne nnyambala obutuukirivu ng’engoye zange, obwenkanya bwe bwali omunagiro gwange era ekitambala kye neesiba ku mutwe.
Righteousness, I put on, and it clothed me, Like a robe and turban, was my, justice;
15 Nnali maaso g’abamuzibe era ebigere by’abalema.
Eyes, became I to the, blind, and, feet to the lame, was, I!
16 Nnali kitaawe w’abanaku, ne nneyama okuwolereza besimanyiiko.
A father, was, I, to the needy, and, as for the cause which I knew not, I used to search it out;
17 Namenyanga amannyo g’abakozi b’ebibi, ne nziggya mu kamwa kaabwe, be baali bakutte.
And I shivered the fangs of the perverse, —and, out of his teeth, I tare the prey.
18 “Nalowooza nti, ‘Ndifiira mu nnyumba yange nga mpezezza ennaku zange nga nnyingi ng’omusenyu ogw’oku nnyanja.
Then said I, Like a stem, shall I grow old, yea, as the sand, shall I multiply days:
19 Omulandira gwange gulituuka mu mazzi, era n’omusulo gulibeera ku ttabi lyange okukeesa obudde.
My root, is laid open to the waters, and, the dew, shall lodge for the night in my boughs;
20 Ekitiibwa kyange tekirikaddiwa mu nze, n’omutego gwange ogw’akasaale gusigale nga tegukaddiye mu mukono gwange.’
Mine honour, shall be young again with me, and, my bow, in my hand, be renewed.
21 “Abantu beesunganga okumpuliriza, nga balindirira mu kasirise amagezi gange.
To me, men hearkened, and waited, and kept silence for my counsel;
22 Bwe namalanga okwogera, nga tewaba addayo kwogera, ebigambo byange byagwanga mpola mpola mu matu gaabwe.
After I had spoken, they spake not again, and, upon them, used my speech to drop;
23 Bannindiriranga ng’enkuba ne banywa ebigambo byange ng’enkuba eya ttoggo.
And they waited, as for rain, for me, and, their mouths, they opened wide for the spring-rain;
24 Bwe nabamwenyeranga nga tebakikkiriza; ekitangaala ky’oku maaso gange kyali kya muwendo gye bali.
I laughed at them—they lost confidence, and, the light of my countenance, they suffered not to fail;
25 Nabasalirangawo eky’okukola, ne ntuula nga kabaka n’amaggye ge; nnali ng’abo ababeesabeesa abakungubazi.”
I chose out their way, and sat chief, —and abode, as king, in an army, as one who, to mourners, giveth comfort.
