UJobe 13

1 Khangela, konke ilihlo lami likubonile, indlebe yami izwile yakuqedisisa.

Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].

2 Njengokolwazi lwenu lami ngiyakwazi; kangiphansi kulani.

And I know all that you too know; and I have not less understanding than you.

3 Kodwa mina ngizakhuluma loSomandla, ngifisa ukuqondisana loNkulunkulu.

Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.

4 Kodwa lina-ke ligcona ngamanga, lonke lingabelaphi abangelamsebenzi.

But you are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.

5 Kungathi ngabe liyathula lithi zwi; lokhu kube yinhlakanipho kini!

But would that you were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.

6 Ake lizwe ukuzivikela kwami, lilalele impikiso zendebe zami.

But hear you the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgement of my lips.

7 Lizamkhulumela uNkulunkulu ngokubi, limkhulumele ngenkohliso yini?

Do you not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?

8 Lizakwemukela ubuso bakhe, lizammela yini uNkulunkulu?

Or will you draw back? nay do, you yourselves be judges.

9 Kuzakuba kuhle yini lapho elihlola? Lizamkhohlisa yini njengokhohlisa umuntu?

For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things [in your power] you should attach yourselves to him,

10 Isibili uzalisola, uba lisemukela ubuso ensitha.

he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover you should secretly respect persons,

11 Ubukhulu bakhe kabulethusi yini, lokwesabeka kwakhe kulehlele?

shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?

12 Izikhumbuzo zenu ziyizaga zomlotha, izivikelo zenu ziyizivikelo zebumba.

And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.

13 Thulani lingiyekele, ukuze ngikhulume mina; kungehlele loba kuyini.

Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,

14 Ngizayithathelani inyama yami ngamazinyo ami, ngibeke impilo yami esandleni sami?

while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.

15 Lanxa ezangibulala, ngizathemba kuye. Kanti ngizazimela indlela zami phambi kwakhe.

Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.

16 Njalo uzakuba lusindiso lwami; ngoba umzenzisi kayikuza phambi kwakhe.

And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.

17 Zwisisani ilizwi lami, lengcazelo yami ngendlebe zenu.

Hear, hear you my words, for I will declare in your hearing.

18 Khangelani-ke, sengilubeke kuhle udaba lwami, ngiyazi ukuthi mina ngizalungisiswa.

Behold, I am near my judgement: I know that I shall appear evidently just.

19 Ngubani lowo ozaphikisana lami? Nxa khathesi ngithula ngizaphela.

For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?

20 Kuphela ungenzi izinto ezimbili kimi; khona ngingayikucatshela ubuso bakho.

But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from your face.

21 Susela khatshana lami isandla sakho, lokwesabeka kwakho kungangethusi.

Withhold [your] hand from me: and let not your fear terrify me.

22 Ubusungibiza, mina ngizaphendula; kumbe ngikhulume, ungiphendule.

Then shall you call, and I will listen to you: or you shall speak, and I will give you an answer.

23 Zingaki iziphambeko lezono engilazo? Ngazisa isiphambeko sami lesono sami.

How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.

24 Ufihlelani ubuso bakho, ungiphathe njengesitha sakho?

Therefore hide you yourself from me, and deem me your enemy?

25 Uzakwethusa yini ihlamvu eliphephethekayo? Njalo uzaxotshana lomule owomileyo yini?

Will you be startled [at me], as [at] a leaf shaken by the wind? or will you set yourself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze?

26 Ngoba ubale izinto ezibabayo umelene lami, wangenza ngadla ilifa leziphambeko zobutsha bami.

for you have written evil things against me, and you have compassed me with the sins of my youth.

27 Ufake lenyawo zami esigodweni, waqaphela zonke indlela zami, wazidweba uluphawu empandeni zezinyawo zami.

And you have placed my foot in the stocks; and you have watched all my works, and have penetrated my heels.

28 Yena-ke njengokubolileyo uyaguga, njengesembatho inundu esidlayo.

[I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.