UJobe 23

1 Waphendula uJobe wathi:

Then Job answered by saying:

2 “Lalamuhla ukusola kwami kulokhu kubuhlungu kabi, isandla sakhe siyasinda loba ngibubula kangaka.

Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.

3 Ngabe ngiyakwazi lapho engingamfumana khona; aluba nje bengingaya emzini wakhe!

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?

4 Bengizayibeka kuhle indaba yami phambi kwakhe ngigcwalise umlomo wami ngamazwi empikiswano.

I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,

5 Bengizakuzwa ukuthi yena uphendula athini, ngikuhlolisise lokho akutshoyo.

so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.

6 Kambe angangiphikisa ngamandla na? Hatshi, angazake angethese cala.

I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.

7 Lapho umuntu oqotho ubengendlala indaba yakhe phambi kwakhe, njalo bengizakhululwa lanini kumahluleli wami.

Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.

8 Kodwa nxa ngisiya empumalanga, yena kakho khona; nxa ngisiya entshonalanga, kangimfumani khona.

If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.

9 Nxa esemsebenzini enyakatho, kangimboni; angaphendukela eningizimu, kangiboni lokuthi tshazi kwakhe.

If I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not see him.

10 Kodwa uyayazi indlela engihamba ngayo; nxa esengilingile, ngizaphuma senginjengegolide.

Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.

11 Inyawo zami bezilokhu zilandelana lezinyathelo zakhe; ngalela endleleni yakhe angaze ngaphambuka.

My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.

12 Angigudlukanga emilayweni yezindebe zakhe; ngiwenze igugu amazwi omlomo wakhe ukwedlula isinkwa sami sansukuzonke.

I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.

13 Kodwa uzimele yedwa, ngubani ongaphikisana laye na? Uyenza loba yini ayifunayo.

For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.

14 Uyagcwalisa isimiso sakhe ngami, njalo manengi amacebo anjalo awagcinileyo.

And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.

15 Yikho-nje ngithuthumela ukuma phambi kwakhe; ngithi ngingakukhumbula konke lokhu ngimesabe.

And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.

16 UNkulunkulu usenze inhliziyo yami yaphela amandla; uSomandla usengethusile.

God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.

17 Kodwa kawuyikungithulisa umnyama lo, umnyama lo onzima ovala ubuso bami.”

Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.