Ayubu 22
1 Ndipo Elifazi Mtemani akajibu:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 “Je, mwanadamu aweza kuwa wa faida kwa Mungu? Je, hata mtu mwenye hekima aweza kumfaidi?
Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.
3 Je, Mwenyezi angefurahia nini kama ungekuwa mwadilifu? Au je, yeye angepata faida gani kama njia zako zingekuwa kamilifu?
Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?
4 “Je, ni kwa ajili ya utaua wako ndiyo maana anakukemea na kuleta mashtaka dhidi yako?
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 Je, uovu wako si mkuu? Dhambi zako si hazina mwisho?
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 Umedai dhamana kwa ndugu zako bila sababu; umewavua watu nguo zao, ukawaacha uchi.
For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it.
7 Hukumpa maji aliyechoka, nawe ulimnyima chakula mwenye njaa,
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 ingawa ulikuwa mtu mwenye uwezo ukimiliki nchi: mtu uliyeheshimiwa, ukiishi ndani yake.
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 Umewafukuza wajane mikono mitupu na kuzivunja nguvu za yatima.
You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 Ndiyo sababu mitego imekuzunguka pande zote, hatari ya ghafula inakutia hofu,
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 ndiyo sababu ni giza sana huwezi kuona, tena ndiyo sababu mafuriko ya maji yamekufunika.
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 “Je, Mungu hayuko katika mbingu za juu? Juu kuliko nyota zilizo juu sana!
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 Hivyo wewe wasema, ‘Mungu anajua nini?’ Je, yeye huhukumu katika giza kama hilo?
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 Mawingu mazito ni pazia lake, hivyo hatuoni sisi atembeapo juu ya anga la dunia.
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 Je, utaifuata njia ya zamani, ambayo watu waovu waliikanyaga?
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 Waliondolewa kabla ya wakati wao, misingi yao ikachukuliwa na mafuriko.
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 Walimwambia Mungu, ‘Tuache sisi! Huyo Mwenyezi aweza kutufanyia nini?’
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 Lakini ndiye alizijaza nyumba zao na vitu vizuri, hivyo ninajitenga mbali na mashauri ya waovu.
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 “Wenye haki wanaona maangamizi yao na kufurahi, nao wasio na hatia huwadhihaki, wakisema,
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 ‘Hakika adui zetu wameangamizwa, nao moto umeteketeza mali zao.’
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 “Mjue sana Mungu ili uwe na amani, ndipo mema yatakapokujia.
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 Uyapokee mafundisho toka kinywani mwake, na maneno yake uyaweke moyoni mwako.
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 Kama ukimrudia Mwenyezi, utarudishwa upya: Kama ukiuondoa uovu uwe mbali na hema lako,
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 kama dhahabu yako ukiihesabu kama mavumbi, dhahabu yako ya Ofiri kama miamba ya mabondeni,
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 ndipo Mwenyezi atakuwa dhahabu yako, naye atakuwa fedha yako iliyo bora.
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 Hakika ndipo utakapojifurahisha kwa Mwenyezi, nawe utamwinulia Mungu uso wako.
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 Utamwomba yeye, naye atakusikia, nawe utazitimiza nadhiri zako.
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 Utakusudia jambo nalo litatendeka, nao mwanga utaangazia njia zako.
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 Watu watakaposhushwa, nawe ukasema, ‘Wainue!’ ndipo atamwokoa aliyevunjika moyo.
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 Atamwokoa hata yule ambaye ana hatia, ataokolewa kwa sababu ya usafi wa mikono yako.”
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
