UJobe 23

1 Waphendula uJobe wathi:

Then Job answered, and said:

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

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than 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 come even to his throne?

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

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

5 Bengizakuzwa ukuthi yena uphendula athini, ngikuhlolisise lokho akutshoyo.

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

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

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

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

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

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

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

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

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

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

I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

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

For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

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

And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

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

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

16 UNkulunkulu usenze inhliziyo yami yaphela amandla; uSomandla usengethusile.

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

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

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.