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.
Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Laiti ningefahamu mahali pa kumwona; laiti ningeweza kwenda mahali akaapo!
O that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4 Ningeliweka shauri langu mbele zake, na kukijaza kinywa changu na hoja.
I would set my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 Ningejua kwamba angenijibu nini, na kuelewa lile ambalo angelisema.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 Je, angenipinga kwa nguvu nyingi? La, asingenigandamiza.
Would he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7 Hapo mtu mwadilifu angeweka shauri lake mbele zake, nami ningeokolewa milele na mhukumu wangu.
There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 “Lakini nikienda mashariki, hayupo; nikienda magharibi, simpati.
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 Anapokuwa kazini pande za kaskazini, simwoni; akigeukia kusini, nako simwoni hata kidogo.
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 Lakini anaijua njia niiendeayo; akiisha kunijaribu, nitatoka kama dhahabu.
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 Nyayo zangu zimefuata hatua zake kwa karibu; nimeishika njia yake bila kukengeuka.
My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Sijaziacha amri zilizotoka midomoni mwake; nimeyathamini maneno ya kinywa chake kuliko chakula changu cha kila siku.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13 “Lakini yeye husimama peke yake; ni nani awezaye kumpinga? Yeye hufanya lolote atakalo.
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 Hutimiliza maagizo yake dhidi yangu, na bado anayo mipango mingi kama hiyo ambayo ameiweka akiba.
For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
15 Hiyo ndiyo sababu ninaingiwa na hofu mbele zake; nifikiriapo haya yote ninamwogopa.
Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 Mungu ameufanya moyo wangu kuzimia; yeye Mwenyezi amenitia hofu.
For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17 Hata hivyo sijanyamazishwa na giza, wala kwa giza nene linalofunika uso wangu.
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
