UJobe 17
1 “Umoya wami udabukile, insuku zami ziqunyiwe, ithuna lingimelele.
My spirit will be wasted, my days will be shortened, and only the grave will be left for me.
2 Impela abaklolodayo bangihanqile; amehlo ami asehlezi elinde ulaka lwabo.
I have not sinned, yet my eye remains in bitterness.
3 Ngipha, Oh Nkulunkulu, lesosibambiso osifunayo. Kambe ngubani omunye ongangenzela lesosibambiso na?
Free me, O Lord, and set me beside you, and let the hand of anyone you wish fight against me.
4 Usuzivalile ingqondo zabo kabasazwisisi; ngakho kawuzukubayekela bagiye.
You have set their heart far from discipline; therefore, they will not be praised.
5 Nxa umuntu angaphika umngane wakhe ukuze ahlawulwe, amehlo abantwabakhe azafiphala.
He promises prey to his companions, but the eyes of his sons will grow faint.
6 UNkulunkulu usengenze ngaba yisiga ebantwini bonke, umuntu okhafulelwa ngabanye emehlweni.
He has posted me like a proverb to the people, and I am an example in their presence.
7 Amehlo ami asethundubele ngosizi; umdumbu wami wonke usuyisithunzi nje.
My eyesight has been clouded by indignation, and my limbs have been reduced, as if to nothing.
8 Abantu abaqotho kuyabanenga lokhu; abangelacala bayacaphuka ngabangakholwayo.
The just will be astounded over this, and the innocent will be stirred up against the hypocrite.
9 Kungenani, abalungileyo bazabambelela ezindleleni zabo, kuthi labo abalezandla ezihlanzekileyo baqine.
And the just will cling to his way, and clean hands will increase strength.
10 Kodwa khathesi lina lonke ake lizame futhi! Kangiboni loyedwa ohlakaniphileyo kini.
Therefore, be converted, all of you, and approach, for I do not find in you any wisdom.
11 Sezidlule insuku zami, amacebo ami asedilikile, kunjalo lezifiso zenhliziyo yami.
My days have passed away; my thoughts have been scattered, tormenting my heart.
12 Lababantu bathatha ubusuku njengemini; bathi bebona ubumnyama bathi, ‘Ukukhanya sekusondele.’
They have turned night into day, and I hope for light again after the darkness.
13 Nxa ikhaya engilithembileyo lilingcwaba kuphela, nxa ngisendlala umbheda wami emnyameni, (Sheol h7585)
If I should wait, the underworld is my house, and in darkness I have spread out my bed. (Sheol h7585)
14 nxa ngisithi ekuboleni, ‘Baba,’ ngithi empethwini, ‘Mama’ kumbe ‘Dadewethu,’
I have said to decay and to worms: “You are my father, my mother, and my sister.”
15 pho lingaphi ithemba lami na? Ngubani ongabona ithemba ngami?
Therefore, where is my expectation now, and who is it that considers my patience?
