< Ayubu 16 >
2 “Nimepata kusikia mambo mengi kama haya, nanyi nyote ni wafariji wenye kutaabisha!
“I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!
3 Je, maneno yenu mengi yasiyo na maana hayana mwisho? Mna nini hata mwendelee kushindana kwa maneno?
Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
4 Mimi pia ningeweza kuzungumza kama ninyi, kama mngekuwa katika hali yangu; ningeweza kutoa hotuba nzuri dhidi yenu, na kuwatikisia ninyi kichwa changu.
I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,
5 Lakini kinywa changu kingewatia moyo; faraja kutoka midomoni mwangu, ingewaletea nafuu.
but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
6 “Lakini kama nikisema, maumivu yangu bado hayatulizwi; nami kama nikijizuia, wala hayaondoki.
“Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
7 Ee Mungu, hakika umenichakaza; umewaangamiza kabisa watu wa nyumbani mwangu wote.
But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made all my company desolate.
8 Umenikunjakunja, nalo limekuwa ushahidi; nako kukonda kwangu kumeongezeka sana na kushuhudia dhidi yangu.
You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.
9 Mungu amenishambulia na kunirarua katika hasira yake, na kunisagia meno yake; adui yangu hunikazia macho yake makali.
He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.
10 Watu wamenifumbulia vinywa vyao kunidhihaki; hunipiga shavuni mwangu kwa dharau, na kuungana pamoja dhidi yangu.
They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
11 Mungu amenigeuzia kwa watu wabaya, na kunitupa katika makucha ya waovu.
God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
12 Mambo yote yalikuwa mazuri, lakini alinivunjavunja; amenikamata shingo na kuniponda. Amenifanya mimi kuwa shabaha yake;
I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.
13 wapiga upinde wake wananizunguka. Bila huruma, huchoma figo zangu, na kuimwaga nyongo yangu juu ya nchi.
His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground.
14 Huniponda tena na tena; hunishambulia kama shujaa wa vita.
He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs at me like a giant.
15 “Nimejishonea nguo ya gunia juu ya mwili wangu nami nimekizika kipaji cha uso wangu kwenye vumbi.
I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.
16 Uso wangu umekuwa mwekundu kwa kulia, macho yangu yamepigwa na giza kuu.
My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids,
17 Hata hivyo mikono yangu haijafanya jeuri, na maombi yangu ni safi.
although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
18 “Ee nchi, usiifunike damu yangu, nacho kilio changu kisinyamazishwe kamwe.
“Earth, do not cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.
19 Hata sasa shahidi wangu yuko mbinguni; wakili wangu yuko juu.
Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
20 Mwombezi wangu ni rafiki yangu macho yangu yamwagapo machozi kwa Mungu;
My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,
21 kwa niaba ya mtu anamsihi Mungu kama mtu anavyosihi kwa ajili ya rafiki yake.
that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!
22 “Ni miaka michache tu itapita kabla sijaenda safari ambayo sitarudi.
For when a few years have come, I will go the way of no return.