Ayubu 23
1 Ndipo Ayubu akajibu:
Then Job answered:
2 “Hata leo malalamiko yangu ni chungu; mkono wake ni mzito juu yangu hata nikiugua.
“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 Laiti ningefahamu mahali pa kumwona; laiti ningeweza kwenda mahali akaapo!
If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.
4 Ningeliweka shauri langu mbele zake, na kukijaza kinywa changu na hoja.
I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 Ningejua kwamba angenijibu nini, na kuelewa lile ambalo angelisema.
I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.
6 Je, angenipinga kwa nguvu nyingi? La, asingenigandamiza.
Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.
7 Hapo mtu mwadilifu angeweka shauri lake mbele zake, nami ningeokolewa milele na mhukumu wangu.
Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
8 “Lakini nikienda mashariki, hayupo; nikienda magharibi, simpati.
If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.
9 Anapokuwa kazini pande za kaskazini, simwoni; akigeukia kusini, nako simwoni hata kidogo.
When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.
10 Lakini anaijua njia niiendeayo; akiisha kunijaribu, nitatoka kama dhahabu.
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 Nyayo zangu zimefuata hatua zake kwa karibu; nimeishika njia yake bila kukengeuka.
My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.
12 Sijaziacha amri zilizotoka midomoni mwake; nimeyathamini maneno ya kinywa chake kuliko chakula changu cha kila siku.
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
13 “Lakini yeye husimama peke yake; ni nani awezaye kumpinga? Yeye hufanya lolote atakalo.
But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.
14 Hutimiliza maagizo yake dhidi yangu, na bado anayo mipango mingi kama hiyo ambayo ameiweka akiba.
For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.
15 Hiyo ndiyo sababu ninaingiwa na hofu mbele zake; nifikiriapo haya yote ninamwogopa.
Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.
16 Mungu ameufanya moyo wangu kuzimia; yeye Mwenyezi amenitia hofu.
God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
17 Hata hivyo sijanyamazishwa na giza, wala kwa giza nene linalofunika uso wangu.
Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.
