UJobe 23

1 Wasephendula uJobe wathi:

Then Job answered,

2 Lalamuhla isikhalazo sami silokubaba; isandla sami sinzima phezu kokububula kwami.

“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

3 Kungathi ngabe ngiyazi lapho engingamthola khona! Bengingeza enkundleni yakhe!

Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

4 Ngibeke kuhle udaba lwami phambi kwakhe, ngigcwalise umlomo wami ngokuphikisa.

I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 Bengingawazi amazwi azangiphendula ngawo, ngiqedisise azakutsho kimi.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

6 Uzaphikisana lami ngobukhulu bamandla yini? Hatshi, kodwa uzabeka inhliziyo yakhe kimi.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

7 Lapho oqotho angaphikisana laye; ngakho bengizaphepha phakade kumahluleli wami.

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

8 Khangelani ngiya phambili, kodwa kakho, lemuva, kodwa kangimboni.

“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

9 Ngakwesokhohlo ekusebenzeni kwakhe, kodwa kangimboni; uyacatsha ngakwesokunene, kodwa kangimboni.

He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

10 Kanti uyayazi indlela elami; kangihlole, ngizaphuma njengegolide.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

11 Unyawo lwami lubambelele enyathelweni lakhe, ngiyigcinile indlela yakhe, kangiphambukanga.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

12 Kangisukanga lemlayweni wezindebe zakhe, ngawalondoloza amazwi omlomo wakhe okwedlula isabelo sami.

I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13 Kodwa yena ukokukodwa, ngubani-ke ongambuyisela emuva? Lokho umphefumulo wakhe okufisayo uyakwenza.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

14 Ngoba uzaphelelisa engikumiselweyo; lezinto ezinengi ezinjalo zikuye.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

15 Ngenxa yalokho ngitshaywa luvalo phambi kwakhe; ngicabanga, ngiyamesaba.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 Ngoba uNkulunkulu wenze inhliziyo yami yaphela amandla, loSomandla ungethusile.

For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

17 Ngoba kangiqunywanga phambi komnyama, wagubuzela ubumnyama ebusweni bami.

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.