UJobe 17
1 Umoya wami wonakele, insuku zami zicitshiwe, amangcwaba ngawami.
My spirit will be wasted, my days will be shortened, and only the grave will be left for me.
2 Kabakho lami yini abaklolodayo, lelihlo lami lichitha ubusuku ekuvukeleni kwabo?
I have not sinned, yet my eye remains in bitterness.
3 Akubeke isibambiso sami kuwe; ngubani yena ozatshaya esandleni sami?
Free me, O Lord, and set me beside you, and let the hand of anyone you wish fight against me.
4 Ngoba inhliziyo yabo uyifihlele ukuqedisisa; ngenxa yalokhu kawuyikubaphakamisa.
You have set their heart far from discipline; therefore, they will not be praised.
5 Okhuluma ngokuyenga kubangane, lamehlo abantwana bakhe azafiphala.
He promises prey to his companions, but the eyes of his sons will grow faint.
6 Njalo ungimise ngaba yisaga sezizwe, ngaze ngaba ngokhafulelwayo phambi kwazo.
He has posted me like a proverb to the people, and I am an example in their presence.
7 Njalo ilihlo lami lifiphele ngosizi, lamalunga ami anjengesithunzi wonke.
My eyesight has been clouded by indignation, and my limbs have been reduced, as if to nothing.
8 Abaqotho bazakwethuswa yikho, longelacala uvukela ongamesabiyo uNkulunkulu.
The just will be astounded over this, and the innocent will be stirred up against the hypocrite.
9 Lolungileyo uzabambelela endleleni yakhe, lolezandla ezihlambulukileyo uzakwengeza amandla.
And the just will cling to his way, and clean hands will increase strength.
10 Kodwa-ke lina lonke, phendukani ake libuye, ngoba kangitholi ohlakaniphileyo phakathi kwenu.
Therefore, be converted, all of you, and approach, for I do not find in you any wisdom.
11 Insuku zami zedlule, amacebo ami adabuke phakathi, lezifiso zenhliziyo yami.
My days have passed away; my thoughts have been scattered, tormenting my heart.
12 Bamisa ubusuku bube yimini; ukukhanya kuseduze phambi kobumnyama.
They have turned night into day, and I hope for light again after the darkness.
If I should wait, the underworld is my house, and in darkness I have spread out my bed. (Sheol h7585)
14 Ngibiza ingcwaba ngisithi: Wena ungubaba; impethu ngisithi: Umama lodadewethu.
I have said to decay and to worms: “You are my father, my mother, and my sister.”
15 Pho-ke ithemba lami lingaphi? Yebo, ithemba lami ngubani ozalibona?
Therefore, where is my expectation now, and who is it that considers my patience?
