Ayubu 29
1 Ayubu akaendelea na hoja yake, akasema:
And Job again took up the word and said,
2 “Tazama jinsi ninavyoitamani miezi iliyopita, zile siku ambazo Mungu alikuwa akinilinda,
If only I might again be as I was in the months which are past, in the days when God was watching over me!
3 wakati taa yake iliniangazia kichwani changu, na kwa mwanga wake Mungu nikapita katikati ya giza!
When his light was shining over my head, and when I went through the dark by his light.
4 Natamani siku zile nilizokuwa katika ustawi wangu, wakati urafiki wa Mungu wa ndani ulipoibariki nyumba yangu,
As I was in my flowering years, when my tent was covered by the hand of God;
5 wakati Mwenyezi alikuwa pamoja nami, nao watoto wangu walikuwa wamenizunguka,
While the Ruler of all was still with me, and my children were round me;
6 wakati njia yangu ilikuwa imenyweshewa siagi, nao mwamba ukanimiminia vijito vya mafuta ya zeituni.
When my steps were washed with milk, and rivers of oil were flowing out of the rock for me.
7 “Wakati nilipokwenda kwenye lango la mji na kuketi katika kiwanja,
When I went out of my door to go up to the town, and took my seat in the public place,
8 vijana waliniona wakakaa kando, nao wazee walioketi wakasimama;
The young men saw me, and went away, and the old men got up from their seats;
9 wakuu wakaacha kuzungumza na kuziba vinywa vyao kwa mikono yao;
The rulers kept quiet, and put their hands on their mouths;
10 wenye vyeo wakanyamazishwa, nazo ndimi zao zikagandamana na makaakaa ya vinywa vyao.
The chiefs kept back their words, and their tongues were joined to the roofs of their mouths.
11 Yeyote aliyenisikia alinena mema juu yangu, nao walioniona walinisifu,
For when it came to their ears, men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness to me;
12 kwa sababu nilimwokoa maskini aliyeomba msaada, naye yatima aliyekuwa hana wa kumsaidia.
For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter.
13 Mtu aliyekuwa karibu kufa alinibariki, nami niliufanya moyo wa mjane kuimba.
The blessing of him who was near to destruction came on me, and I put a song of joy into the widow's heart.
14 Niliivaa haki kama vazi langu; uadilifu ulikuwa joho langu na kilemba changu.
I put on righteousness as my clothing, and was full of it; right decisions were to me a robe and a head-dress.
15 Nilikuwa macho ya kipofu na miguu kwa kiwete.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking.
16 Nilikuwa baba kwa mhitaji; nilimtetea mgeni.
I was a father to the poor, searching out the cause of him who was strange to me.
17 Niliyavunja meno makali ya waovu, na kuwapokonya wahanga kwenye meno yao.
By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away.
18 “Nikafikiri, ‘Nitafia katika nyumba yangu mwenyewe, nazo siku zangu zitakuwa nyingi kama chembechembe za mchanga.
Then I said, I will come to my end with my children round me, my days will be as the sand in number;
19 Mizizi yangu itafika mpaka kwenye maji, nao umande utakaa juu ya matawi yangu usiku kucha.
My root will be open to the waters, and the night mist will be on my branches,
20 Utukufu wangu utabakia kuwa mpya ndani yangu, upinde wangu daima utaendelea kuwa mpya mkononi mwangu.’
My glory will be ever new, and my bow will be readily bent in my hand.
21 “Watu walinisikiliza kwa tumaini, wakingojea ushauri wangu kwa utulivu.
Men gave ear to me, waiting and keeping quiet for my suggestions.
22 Baada ya mimi kuzungumza, hawakusema zaidi; maneno yangu yaliingia masikioni mwao kwa makini.
After I had said what was in my mind, they were quiet and let my words go deep into their hearts;
23 Waliningojea kama manyunyu ya mvua na kuyapokea maneno yangu kama ardhi inyonyavyo mvua ya vuli.
They were waiting for me as for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains.
24 Walipokata tamaa niliwaonyesha uso wa furaha; nuru ya uso wangu ilikuwa ya thamani kwao.
I was laughing at them when they had no hope, and the light of my face was never clouded by their fear.
25 Niliwachagulia njia na kukaa kama mkuu wao; niliishi kama mfalme katikati ya majeshi yake; nikawa kama yeye anayewafariji waombolezaji.
I took my place as a chief, guiding them on their way, and I was as a king among his army. ...
