Ayubu 4
1 Ndipo Elifazi Mtemani akajibu:
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:
2 “Kama mtu akithubutu kuzungumza nawe, kutakukasirisha? Lakini ni nani awezaye kujizuia asiseme?
If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
3 Fikiri jinsi ambavyo umewafundisha watu wengi, jinsi ambavyo umeitia nguvu mikono iliyokuwa dhaifu.
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4 Maneno yako yamewategemeza wale waliojikwaa; umeyatia nguvu magoti yaliyokuwa dhaifu.
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
5 Lakini sasa hii taabu imekujia wewe, nawe unashuka moyo; imekupiga wewe, nawe unafadhaika.
But now it is come upon thee, and thou art weary; it toucheth thee, and thou art affrighted.
6 Je, kumcha Mungu kwako hakupaswi kuwa ndiyo matumaini yako na njia zako kutokuwa na lawama ndilo taraja lako?
Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
7 “Fikiri sasa: Ni mtu yupi asiye na hatia ambaye aliwahi kuangamia? Ni wapi wanyofu waliwahi kuangamizwa?
Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
8 Kwa jinsi ambavyo mimi nimechunguza, wale walimao ubaya na wale hupanda uovu, huvuna hayo hayo hayo.
According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow mischief, reap the same.
9 Kwa pumzi ya Mungu huangamizwa; kwa mshindo wa hasira zake huangamia.
By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed.
10 Simba anaweza kunguruma na kukoroma, lakini bado meno ya simba mkubwa huvunjika.
The lion roareth, and the fierce lion howleth — yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11 Simba anaweza kuangamia kwa kukosa mawindo, nao wana wa simba jike hutawanyika.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
12 “Neno lililetwa kwangu kwa siri, masikio yangu yakasikia mnongʼono wake.
Now a word was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.
13 Katikati ya ndoto za kutia wasiwasi wakati wa usiku, hapo usingizi mzito uwapatapo wanadamu,
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14 hofu na kutetemeka kulinishika na kufanya mifupa yangu yote itetemeke.
Fear came upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were made to shake.
15 Kuna roho aliyepita mbele ya uso wangu, nazo nywele za mwili wangu zikasimama.
Then a spirit passed before my face, that made the hair of my flesh to stand up.
16 Yule roho akasimama, lakini sikuweza kutambua kilikuwa kitu gani. Umbo fulani lilisimama mbele ya macho yangu, kukawa na ukimya kisha nikasikia sauti:
It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; a form was before mine eyes; I heard a still voice:
17 ‘Je, binadamu aweza kuwa mwadilifu kuliko Mungu? Je, mtu aweza kuwa safi kuliko Muumba wake?
'Shall mortal man be just before God? Shall a man be pure before his Maker?
18 Kama Mungu hawaamini watumishi wake, kama yeye huwalaumu malaika zake kwa kukosea,
Behold, He putteth no trust in His servants, and His angels He chargeth with folly;
19 ni mara ngapi zaidi wale waishio katika nyumba za udongo wa mfinyanzi, ambazo misingi yake ipo mavumbini, ambao wamepondwa kama nondo!
How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
20 Kati ya mawio na machweo huvunjwa vipande vipande; bila yeyote kutambua, huangamia milele.
Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered; they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 Je, kamba za hema yao hazikungʼolewa, hivyo hufa bila hekima?’
Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.'
