Ayubu 24
1 “Kwa nini Mwenyezi asiweke nyakati kwa ajili ya hukumu? Kwa nini wale wamjuao wazitafute siku kama hizo bila mafanikio?
Why are times not stored up by the Ruler of all, and why do those who have knowledge of him not see his days?
2 Watu husogeza mawe ya mpaka; huchunga makundi ya wanyama waliyonyangʼanya kwa nguvu.
The landmarks are changed by evil men, they violently take away flocks, together with their keepers.
3 Huwanyangʼanya yatima punda wao, na kumchukua rehani fahali wa mjane.
They send away the ass of him who has no father, they take the widow's ox for debt.
4 Humsukuma mhitaji kutoka njia, na kuwafanya maskini wote wa nchi kulazimika kujificha.
The crushed are turned out of the way; all the poor of the earth go into a secret place together.
5 Kama punda-mwitu jangwani, maskini huzunguka katika kazi zao za kutafuta chakula; mahali palipo jangwa huwapa chakula cha watoto wao.
Like asses in the waste land they go out to their work, looking for food with care; from the waste land they get bread for their children.
6 Hukusanya chakula mashambani na kuokota masazo katika mashamba ya mizabibu ya waovu.
They get mixed grain from the field, and they take away the late fruit from the vines of those who have wealth.
7 Kwa kukosa nguo, usiku kucha hukaa uchi; hawana chochote cha kujifunika baridi.
They take their rest at night without clothing, and have no cover in the cold.
8 Hutota kwa mvua za mlimani, nao huikumbatia miamba kwa ajili ya kukosa pa kujisitiri.
They are wet with the rain of the mountains, and get into the cracks of the rock for cover.
9 Mtoto yatima hupokonywa matitini; mtoto wachanga wa maskini hunyakuliwa kwa ajili ya deni.
The child without a father is forced from its mother's breast, and they take the young children of the poor for debt.
10 Kwa kukosa nguo, hutembea uchi; hubeba miganda ya ngano, lakini huwa na njaa.
Others go about without clothing, and though they have no food, they get in the grain from the fields.
11 Hukamua zeituni katika mawe ya kusagia; hukanyaga mashinikizo, lakini wanaona kiu.
Between the lines of olive-trees they make oil; though they have no drink, they are crushing out the grapes.
12 Kilio cha huzuni cha wanaokufa kinapaa kutoka mjini, nazo nafsi za waliojeruhiwa zinalilia msaada. Lakini Mungu hamlaumu mtu yeyote kwa kutenda mabaya.
From the town come sounds of pain from those who are near death, and the soul of the wounded is crying out for help; but God does not take note of their prayer.
13 “Wako wale wanaoiasi nuru, wasiofahamu njia zake wala hawakai katika mapito yake.
Then there are those who are haters of the light, who have no knowledge of its ways, and do not go in them.
14 Wakati mwanga wa mchana unapotoweka, muuaji huinuka naye huwaua maskini na mhitaji; wakati wa usiku hunyemelea kama mwizi.
He who is purposing death gets up before day, so that he may put to death the poor and those in need.
15 Jicho la mzinzi hungojea wakati wa giza, naye hufikiri, ‘Hakuna jicho litakaloniona,’ naye huuficha uso wake.
And the man whose desire is for the wife of another is waiting for the evening, saying, No eye will see me; and he puts a cover on his face. And in the night the thief goes about;
16 Katika giza, huvunja majumba, lakini wakati wa mchana hujifungia ndani; hawataki kufanya lolote nuruni.
In the dark he makes holes in the walls of houses: in the daytime they are shutting themselves up, they have no knowledge of the light.
17 Kwa wote hawa, giza nene ndiyo asubuhi yao; hujifanya rafiki na vitisho vya gizani.
For the middle of the night is as morning to them, they are not troubled by the fear of the dark.
18 “Lakini wao ni povu juu ya maji; sehemu yao juu ya nchi imelaaniwa, hivyo hakuna hata mmoja aendaye kwenye shamba la mizabibu.
They go quickly on the face of the waters; their heritage is cursed in the earth; the steps of the crusher of grapes are not turned to their vine-garden.
19 Kama vile joto na hari vinyakuavyo theluji iliyoyeyuka, ndivyo kuzimu kuwanyakuavyo waliotenda dhambi. (Sheol h7585)
Snow waters become dry with the heat: so do sinners go down into the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
20 Tumbo lililowazaa huwasahau, nao huwa karamu ya mabuu; watu waovu hawakumbukwi tena, lakini huvunjika kama mti.
The public place of his town has no more knowledge of him, and his name has gone from the memory of men: he is rooted up like a dead tree.
21 Huwafanya mawindo wanawake tasa na wasio na watoto, nao hawaonyeshi huruma kwa wajane.
He is not kind to the widow, and he has no pity for her child.
22 Lakini Mungu huwakokota wenye nguvu kwa uwezo wake; ingawa wamestawi, hawana hakika ya maisha.
But God by his power gives long life to the strong; he gets up again, though he has no hope of life.
23 Aweza akawaacha wakapumzika wakijihisi salama, lakini macho yake yanaona njia zao.
He takes away his fear of danger and gives him support; and his eyes are on his ways.
24 Kwa kitambo kidogo hutukuka, hatimaye hutoweka; hushushwa na kukusanywa kama wengine wote, hukatwa kama masuke ya nafaka.
For a short time they are lifted up; then they are gone; they are made low, they are pulled off like fruit, and like the heads of grain they are cut off.
25 “Kama hili sivyo, ni nani awezaye kunithibitisha kuwa mwongo, na kuyafanya maneno yangu kuwa si kitu?”
And if it is not so, now, who will make it clear that my words are false, and that what I say is of no value?
