UJobe 13
1 “Amehlo ami asekubonile konke lokhu, indlebe zami zikuzwile zakuqedisisa lokhu.
Truly, my eye has seen all this, word of it has come to my ear, and I have knowledge of it.
2 Elikwaziyo lina lami ngiyakwazi; kalingcono ngalutho kulami.
The same things are in my mind as in yours; I am equal to you.
3 Kodwa ngiloyisa ukukhuluma loSomandla, ngiphikisane loNkulunkulu ngendaba yami.
But I would have talk with the Ruler of all, and my desire is to have an argument with God.
4 Kodwa lina lingigcona ngamanga; lonke lizinyanga ezingelamsebenzi!
But you put a false face on things; all your attempts to put things right are of no value.
5 Thulani lithi zwi lonke! Lokho kungaba yikuhlakanipha kini.
If only you would keep quiet, it would be a sign of wisdom!
6 Zwanini-ke manje engikutshoyo; lalelani ukuncenga kwezindebe zami.
Give ear to the argument of my mouth, and take note of the words of my lips.
7 Lingakhuluma okubi limele uNkulunkulu na? Lingamkhulumela inkohliso na?
Will you say in God's name what is not right, and put false words into his mouth?
8 Limtshengisa ukuthi liyabandlulula yini? Yini elimkhulumelayo uNkulunkulu akutshoyo?
Will you have respect for God's person in this cause, and put yourselves forward as his supporters?
9 Kungalilungela yini nxa engalihlola? Kambe lingamkhohlisa njengoba lingakhohlisa abantu na?
Will it be good for you to be searched out by him, or have you the thought that he may be guided into error like a man?
10 Ngempela angaligcona nxa lingabe litshengisa ukubandlulula.
He will certainly put you right, if you have respect for persons in secret.
11 Inkazimulo yakhe ingezake ilethuse na? Ukwesabeka kwakhe kungezake kulehlele na?
Will not his glory put you in fear, so that your hearts will be overcome before him?
12 Izitsho zenu ziyizaga zomlotha; lezivikelo zenu yizivikelo zebumba kuphela.
Your wise sayings are only dust, and your strong places are only earth.
13 Thulani ngikhulume mina; kungivelele loba kuyini okuvelayo.
Keep quiet, and let me say what is in my mind, whatever may come to me.
14 Ngizifakelani engozini na ngiphathe impilo yami ezandleni zami?
I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
15 Lanxa engangibulala kodwa ngizakwala ngimethemba; ngizazivikela izindlela zami phambi kwakhe.
Truly, he will put an end to me; I have no hope; but I will not give way in argument before him;
16 Ngeqiniso lokhu kuzangihlenga, ngoba kakho umuntu ongakholwayo ongasondela kuye!
And that will be my salvation, for an evil-doer would not come before him,
17 Ake lilalele kuhle amazwi ami; vulani indlebe zenu lizwe engikutshoyo.
Give ear with care to my words, and keep what I say in your minds.
18 Manje-ke njengoba sengiyilungisile indaba yami, ngiyabona ukuthi ngizakhululwa.
See now, I have put my cause in order, and I am certain that I will be seen to be right.
19 Ngubani kambe ongangethesa icala? Nxa ekhona, ngizathula ngife.
Is any one able to take up the argument against me? If so, I would keep quiet and give up my breath.
20 Akungiphe lezizinto ezimbili nje, Oh Nkulunkulu, lapho-ke angiyikukucatshela:
Only two things do not do to me, then I will come before your face:
21 Sisusele khatshana lami isandla sakho, ukhawule ukungethusa ngokwesabeka kwakho.
Take your hand far away from me; and let me not be overcome by fear of you.
22 Ubusungibizela ecaleni, ngizaphendula, kumbe ungiyekele ngikhulume, lawe uphendule.
Then at the sound of your voice I will give answer; or let me put forward my cause for you to give me an answer.
23 Sengenze iziphambeko lezono ezinganani na? Ngitshengisa isiphambeko sami lesono sami.
What is the number of my evil-doings and my sins? give me knowledge of them.
24 Kungani ufihla ubuso bakho ungithathe njengesitha sakho?
Why is your face veiled from me, as if I was numbered among your haters?
25 Uzahluphana lehlamvu eliphetshulwa ngumoya na? Uzaxotshana lomule owomileyo na?
Will you be hard on a leaf in flight before the wind? will you make a dry stem go more quickly on its way?
26 Ngoba ubhala izinto ezibuhlungu ngami ungenze ngivune izono zobutsha bami.
For you put bitter things on record against me, and send punishment on me for the sins of my early years;
27 Ukhina inyawo zami ngezibopho; ulandelela zonke izindlela zami ngokudweba uphawu ezinyathelweni zezinyawo zami.
And you put chains on my feet, watching all my ways, and making a limit for my steps;
28 Yikho-ke umuntu ecikizeka njengento ebolileyo, njengesigqoko esidliwe yinondo.”
Though a man comes to nothing like a bit of dead wood, or like a robe which has become food for the worm.
