Ayubu 14
1 “Mwanadamu aliyezaliwa na mwanamke siku zake ni chache nazo zimejaa taabu.
Man, born of woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 Huchanua kama ua kisha hunyauka; huwa kama kivuli kipitacho upesi, wala hadumu.
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; and he fleeth as a shadow, and continueth not.
3 Je, unamwekea jicho lako mtu kama huyo? Je, utamleta mbele yako katika hukumu?
Yet dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?
4 Ni nani awezaye kutoa kitu safi kutoka kitu najisi? Hakuna awezaye!
Who can bring a clean [man] out of the unclean? Not one!
5 Siku za mwanadamu zimewekewa mpaka; umekwisha kutangaza idadi ya miezi yake na kuweka mpaka ambao hawezi kuuvuka.
If his days are determined, if the number of his months is with thee, [and] thou hast appointed his bounds which he must not pass,
6 Hivyo angalia mbali umwache, hadi awe amekamilisha muda wake kama mtu aliyeajiriwa.
Look away from him; and let him rest, till he accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7 “Kwa maana lipo tumaini kwa mti; kama ukikatwa utachipuka tena, nayo machipukizi yake mapya hayatakoma.
For there is hope for a tree: if it be cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender branch will not cease;
8 Mizizi yake yaweza kuchakaa ardhini na kisiki chake kufa udongoni,
Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stock die in the ground,
9 lakini kwa kupata dalili ya maji utachipua na kutoa machipukizi kama mche.
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a young plant.
10 Lakini mwanadamu hufa, na huo ndio mwisho wake; hutoa pumzi ya mwisho, naye hayuko tena!
But a man dieth, and is prostrate; yea, man expireth, and where is he?
11 Kama vile maji yatowekavyo katika bahari, au mkondo wa mto ukaushwavyo na kuwa mkavu,
The waters recede from the lake, and the river wasteth and drieth up:
12 ndivyo mwanadamu alalavyo chini asiamke; hadi mbingu zitakapokuwa hazipo tena, wanadamu hawataamka au kuamshwa kutoka kwenye usingizi wao.
So man lieth down, and riseth not again; till the heavens be no more, they do not awake, nor are raised out of their sleep.
13 “Laiti kama ungenificha kaburini, na kunisitiri hadi hasira yako ipite! Laiti ungeniwekea wakati, na kisha ukanikumbuka! (Sheol h7585)
Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, that thou wouldest keep me secret until thine anger be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me, — (Sheol h7585)
14 Je, kama mtu akifa, aweza kuishi tena? Siku zote za kazi zangu ngumu nitangojea kufanywa upya kwangu.
(If a man die, shall he live [again]?) all the days of my time of toil would I wait, till my change should come:
15 Utaniita nami nitakuitika; utakionea shauku kiumbe ambacho mikono yako ilikiumba.
Thou wouldest call, and I would answer thee; thou wouldest have a desire after the work of thy hands.
16 Hakika ndipo utakapozihesabu hatua zangu, lakini hutazifuatia dhambi zangu.
For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
17 Makosa yangu yatafungiwa kwa lakiri kwenye mfuko, nawe utazifunika dhambi zangu.
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou heapest up mine iniquity.
18 “Lakini kama mlima umomonyokavyo na kufikichika na kama vile mwamba uondolewavyo mahali pake,
And indeed a mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of its place;
19 kama maji yamalizavyo mawe, na mafuriko yachukuavyo udongo, ndivyo unavyoharibu tegemeo la mwanadamu.
The waters wear the stones, the floods thereof wash away the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.
20 Humshinda mara moja kwa daima, naye hutoweka; waibadilisha sura yake na kumwondoa.
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth away; thou changest his countenance, and dismissest him.
21 Kama wanawe wakipewa heshima, yeye hafahamu; kama wakidharauliwa, yeye haoni.
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, and he perceiveth it not.
22 Yeye hasikii kingine isipokuwa maumivu ya mwili wake mwenyewe, naye huomboleza kwa ajili yake mwenyewe.”
But his flesh hath pain for himself alone, and his soul mourneth for himself.
