< Ayubu 14 >
1 Mwanadamu, ambaye amezaliwa na mwanamke, huishi siku chache tu na amejaa mahangaiko.
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 Yeye huchanua kutoka katika ardhi kama ua na kukatwa chini; yeye hukimbia kama kivuli na hawezi kudumu.
He cometh forth like a flower, and withereth; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
3 Je, wewe unatazama chochote katika hivi? Mnanileta mimi hukumuni pamoja nanyi?
And dost Thou open Thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgment with Thee?
4 Ni nani anayeweza kukileta kitu safi kutoka katika kitu kichafu? Hakuna awaye yote.
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
5 Siku za mwanadamu zimeamriwa. Idadi ya miezi yake unayo wewe; umekiweka kikomo chake ambacho hawezi kukivuka.
Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with Thee, and Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 Tazama mbali kutoka kwake kwamba yeye aweze kupumzika, ili kwamba aweze kufurahia siku yake kama mtu aliyekodishwa kama yeye anaweza kufanya hivyo.
Look away from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7 Kunaweza kuwa na tumaini kwa mti; kama ukikatwa chini, unaweza kuchipua tena, hivyo chipukizi lake halitapotea.
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
8 Japokuwa mizizi yake inakua na kuzeeka katika ardhi, na shina lake kufa katika udongo,
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
9 hata kama bado lina harufu ya maji pekee, litachipua tena na kutoa nje matawi kama mche.
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.
10 Lakini mwanadamu hufa; yeye huwa dhaifu; haswaa, mwanadamu hukoma kupumua, na tena yuko wapi yeye?
But man dieth, and lieth low; yea, man perisheth, and where is he?
11 Kama maji yanavyopotea kutoka ziwani, na kama vile mto upotezavyo maji na kukauka,
As the waters fail from the sea, and the river is drained dry;
12 vivyo hivyo watu hulala chini na hawaamki tena. Mpaka pale mbingu zitakapokuwa hazipo tena, hawataamka wala kuamshwa kutoka katika kulala kwao.
So man lieth down and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep.
13 Laiti, kwamba ungenificha mimi mbali katika kuzimu mbali kutoka katika mahangaiko, na kwamba ungenitunza mimi katika siri hadi hasira yake imalizike, kwamba ungeniwekea mimi muda maalumu wa kukaa huko na kisha kuniita mimi katika fahamu! (Sheol )
Oh that Thou wouldest hide me in the nether-world, that Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past, that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! — (Sheol )
14 Ikiwa mwanadamu akifa, yeye ataishi tena? Ikiwa hivyo, ningependa kusubiri kule muda wangu wote wa kuharibika mpaka kufunguliwa kwangu kutakapokuja.
If a man die, may he live again? All the days of my service would I wait, till my relief should come —
15 Wewe ungeita, na mimi ningekujibu wewe. Wewe ungekuwa na shauku ya kazi ya mikono yako.
Thou wouldest call, and I would answer Thee; Thou wouldest have a desire to the work of Thy hands.
16 Wewe ungehesabu na kutunza nyayo zangu; Wewe usingejali kumbukumbu ya dhambi yangu.
But now Thou numberest my steps, Thou dost not even wait for my sin;
17 Uovu wangu ungetiwa muhuri katika mkoba; wewe ungeufunga uovu wangu.
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and Thou heapest up mine iniquity.
18 Lakini hata milima huanguka na kuwa si chochote; hata miamba huhamishwa kutoka mahali pake;
And surely the mountain falling crumbleth away, and the rock is removed out of its place;
19 maji yaliyokuwa chini ya mawe; kufurika kwake huondoa mbali mavumbi ya nchi. Kama hivi, ninyi mnavyoharibu matumaini ya mwanadamu.
The waters wear the stones; the overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth; so Thou destroyest the hope of man.
20 Ninyi daima humshinda yeye, na yeye hupita mbali; Ninyi mnabadilisha uso wake na kumtuma yeye mbali kufa.
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
21 Kama watoto wake wa kiume ni wa kuheshimiwa, yeye, hatambui hicho; na kama wakishushwa chini, yeye haoni hicho.
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he regardeth them not.
22 Yeye hujisikia tu maumivu ya mwili wake mwenyewe, na hujiombolezea yeye mwenyewe.
But his flesh grieveth for him, and his soul mourneth over him.