Ayubu 4
1 Ndipo Elifazi Mtemani akajibu:
Then answered Eliphaz the Themanite, and said,
2 “Kama mtu akithubutu kuzungumza nawe, kutakukasirisha? Lakini ni nani awezaye kujizuia asiseme?
If we essay to address a word to thee, wilt thou be wearied? yet who is able to refrain from speaking?
3 Fikiri jinsi ambavyo umewafundisha watu wengi, jinsi ambavyo umeitia nguvu mikono iliyokuwa dhaifu.
Behold, thou hast [ere this] corrected many, and weak hands thou wast wont to strengthen.
4 Maneno yako yamewategemeza wale waliojikwaa; umeyatia nguvu magoti yaliyokuwa dhaifu.
Him that stumbled thy words used to uphold, and to sinking knees thou gavest vigor.
5 Lakini sasa hii taabu imekujia wewe, nawe unashuka moyo; imekupiga wewe, nawe unafadhaika.
Yet now, when it cometh to thee, thou art wearied: it toucheth even thee, and thou art terrified.
6 Je, kumcha Mungu kwako hakupaswi kuwa ndiyo matumaini yako na njia zako kutokuwa na lawama ndilo taraja lako?
Is not then thy fear of God still thy confidence, thy hope equal to 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 righteous destroyed?
8 Kwa jinsi ambavyo mimi nimechunguza, wale walimao ubaya na wale hupanda uovu, huvuna hayo hayo hayo.
Even as I have seen, that those who plough wrong-doing, and sow trouble, have to reap the same.
9 Kwa pumzi ya Mungu huangamizwa; kwa mshindo wa hasira zake huangamia.
Before the breathing of God they perish, and before the breath of his nostrils they come to their end.
10 Simba anaweza kunguruma na kukoroma, lakini bado meno ya simba mkubwa huvunjika.
The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and 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 have to scatter themselves abroad.
12 “Neno lililetwa kwangu kwa siri, masikio yangu yakasikia mnongʼono wake.
But to me a word came by stealth, and my ear took in a scarcely perceptible whisper thereof.
13 Katikati ya ndoto za kutia wasiwasi wakati wa usiku, hapo usingizi mzito uwapatapo wanadamu,
In intense thoughts out of visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men:
14 hofu na kutetemeka kulinishika na kufanya mifupa yangu yote itetemeke.
Dread came over me, with trembling, and it caused all my bones to shudder.
15 Kuna roho aliyepita mbele ya uso wangu, nazo nywele za mwili wangu zikasimama.
Then flitted a spirit past before my face; the hair of my body stood 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 recognize its form; a figure was before my eyes, a slight whisper, then a [louder] voice I heard, saying,
17 ‘Je, binadamu aweza kuwa mwadilifu kuliko Mungu? Je, mtu aweza kuwa safi kuliko Muumba wake?
Can a mortal be more righteous than God? or can a man be more pure than his Maker?
18 Kama Mungu hawaamini watumishi wake, kama yeye huwalaumu malaika zake kwa kukosea,
Behold, in his servants he putteth no trust, 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 less in those that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed till they come to be eaten by the moth?
20 Kati ya mawio na machweo huvunjwa vipande vipande; bila yeyote kutambua, huangamia milele.
From morning to evening are they broken to pieces: without laying it [to heart] they perish for ever.
21 Je, kamba za hema yao hazikungʼolewa, hivyo hufa bila hekima?’
Behold, their excellency which is in them is torn away: they die, and this without wisdom.
