< Ayubu 24 >
1 Kwa nini nyakati za kuwahukumu waovu hazikuwekwa na Mwenyezi? Kwa nini siyo wale waliowaaminifu kwa Mungu huziona siku za hukumu zikija?
Why are not times [of punishment] treasured up by the Almighty, and why do his adorers not see his days [of retribution]?
2 Kuna waovu waondoao alama za mipaka; kuna waovu walichukua kundi kwa nguvu na kulifanya lao.
[The wicked] remove landmarks: they rob flocks, and feed them.
3 Wanawadhurumu wanyonge punda wao; wanachukua ng'ombe wa mjane kuwa dhamana.
They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take in pledge the widow's ox.
4 Wanawaondoa wahitaji katika njia zao kwa lazima; masikini wa dunia yote wanajificha kutoka kwao.
They chase the needy out of the highway: altogether hide themselves the poor of the earth.
5 Tazama, masikini hawa huenda kufanya kazi kama punda-mwitu mwituni, akitafuta chakula kwa uangalifu; pengine Araba itawapatia chakula kwa ajili ya watoto wao.
Behold, as wild asses in the wilderness go they forth to their work, rising betimes after [their] prey: the desert yieldeth food for them and for their young men.
6 Masikini huvuna katika mashamba ya wengine usiku; wanakusanya zabibu kidogo kutokana na mapato ya waovu.
In the field they reap their food; and in the vineyard of the wicked they gather the fruit.
7 Wana lala bila kujifunika wakati wa usiku; hawana cha kujifunika wakati wa baridi.
They cause [the poor] to spend the night naked, without clothing and without any covering in the cold.
8 Wanalowanishwa na mvua ya milimani; wanalala pembeni mwa miamba mikubwa kwani hawana makao.
Through the sweeping rain of the mountains are they made wet, and for want of a shelter do they embrace the rock.
9 Kuna waovu wanaowapokonya yatima katika kifua cha mama zao, na waovu wawachukuao watoto kama dhamana kutoka kwa masikini.
The others pluck from the breast the fatherless, and the garment of the poor they take in pledge.
10 Lakini masikini wanatembea uchi; wajapokaa na njaa, wanabebea wengine chakula.
They cause him to go naked without clothing, and from the hungry they take away the sheaf:
11 Masikini wanazalisha vinono ndani ya nyumba za waovu; wanakanyaga mashinikizo ya waovu, lakini wanakiu.
Within their walls do they make oil, they tread their wine-presses, and suffer thirst.
12 Watu wananung'unika mjini; waliojeruhiwa wanaomboleza, lakini Mungu hasikilizi maombi yao.
Out of a populous city is groaning heard, and the soul of the deadly wounded crieth out: yet God regardeth it not as an offence.
13 Baadhi ya waovu hawa wanaiasi nuru; hawafahamu njia zake, wala kukaa katika njia zake.
Yon men are of those that rebel against the light: they know not its ways, nor abide in its paths.
14 Muaji huinuka na nuru; huuwa masikini na waitaji; ni kama mwizi wakati wa usiku.
With the earliest light riseth the murderer, he slayeth the poor and needy, and in the night he becometh like the thief.
15 Pia, mzinifu hungoja wakati wa usiku; husema, 'Hakuna anionaye.' Hujibadilisha.
And the eye of the adulterer watcheth for the twilight, saying, No eye will see me; and placeth a covering on his face.
16 Waovu huingia katika nyumba gizani, lakini hujifungia wakati wa mchana; hawajari nuru.
They break into houses in the dark, in the daytime they lock themselves in: they know not the light.
17 Kwa kuwa asubuhi kwao wote ni kama giza totoro; wanaamani na vitisho vya giza totoro.
For to all of these alike is the morning as the shadow of death; for they are familiar with the terrors of the shadow of death.
18 Wanapotea polepole, lakini, kama povu juu ya maji; shamba lao limelaaniwa; hakuna anayekwenda kufanya kazi katika mashamba yao ya mizabibu.
Swift are such men [to flee] on the face of the water; accursed is their field on the land; none of them turneth himself to the way, of the vineyards.
19 Kiangazi na joto huondoa barafu; ndivyo kuzimu pia kunavyowaaribu waliotenda dhambi. (Sheol )
Drought and heat speedily consume the snow-waters: so doth the grave those who have sinned. (Sheol )
20 Mama yake atamsahau; polepole funza watamuuma; hatakumbukwa tena; kwa hiyo, waovu watavunjika kama mti.
The mother that bore such a one will forget him; the worm will feed sweetly on him; he will be no more remembered; and like a tree will wickedness be broken.
21 Mwovu anamrarua mgumba; hawatendi jema lolote kwa mjane.
He ill-treateth the barren that heareth not; and to the widow he acteth not well.
22 Bado Mungu huwaondoa wenye nguvu kwa nguvu zake; huinuka na kuwadhoofisha.
But he also draweth down the mighty with his power: he riseth up, no one is sure of life.
23 Mungu huwaacha wajione wako salama, na wanalifurahia hilo, lakini anayaangalia maisha yao.
To such [God] granteth to be in safety, that he may find support; and His eyes are upon their ways.
24 Watu hawa wanatukuzwa; bado, kitambo tu, watapotea; hakika, watashushwa; watakusanywa kama wengine wote; wataondolewa kama sehemu ya juu ya masikio ya nafaka.
They are exalted; in but a little while they are no more; and they are brought down low: like all others are they gathered in, and like the top of the ear of corn are they cut off.
25 Ikiwa sivyo, nani atanithibitisha kuwa mwongo; atakaye fanya maneno yangu kuwa si kitu?”
But if it be not so, who will prove me a liar, and render nought my word?