Ayubu 23
1 Ndipo Ayubu akajibu:
Then Job answered and said,
2 “Hata leo malalamiko yangu ni chungu; mkono wake ni mzito juu yangu hata nikiugua.
Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.
3 Laiti ningefahamu mahali pa kumwona; laiti ningeweza kwenda mahali akaapo!
Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
4 Ningeliweka shauri langu mbele zake, na kukijaza kinywa changu na hoja.
And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.
5 Ningejua kwamba angenijibu nini, na kuelewa lile ambalo angelisema.
And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.
6 Je, angenipinga kwa nguvu nyingi? La, asingenigandamiza.
Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;
7 Hapo mtu mwadilifu angeweka shauri lake mbele zake, nami ningeokolewa milele na mhukumu wangu.
for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgement to an end.
8 “Lakini nikienda mashariki, hayupo; nikienda magharibi, simpati.
For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
9 Anapokuwa kazini pande za kaskazini, simwoni; akigeukia kusini, nako simwoni hata kidogo.
When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].
10 Lakini anaijua njia niiendeayo; akiisha kunijaribu, nitatoka kama dhahabu.
For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
11 Nyayo zangu zimefuata hatua zake kwa karibu; nimeishika njia yake bila kukengeuka.
And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,
12 Sijaziacha amri zilizotoka midomoni mwake; nimeyathamini maneno ya kinywa chake kuliko chakula changu cha kila siku.
neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
13 “Lakini yeye husimama peke yake; ni nani awezaye kumpinga? Yeye hufanya lolote atakalo.
And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.
14 Hutimiliza maagizo yake dhidi yangu, na bado anayo mipango mingi kama hiyo ambayo ameiweka akiba.
15 Hiyo ndiyo sababu ninaingiwa na hofu mbele zake; nifikiriapo haya yote ninamwogopa.
Therefore am I troubled at him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.
16 Mungu ameufanya moyo wangu kuzimia; yeye Mwenyezi amenitia hofu.
But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
17 Hata hivyo sijanyamazishwa na giza, wala kwa giza nene linalofunika uso wangu.
For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.
