Ayubu 29
1 Ayubu akaendelea na kusema,
And Job again took up his measure, and said,
2 Ee, ningekuwa kama nilivyokuwa miezi iliyopita wakati Mungu aliponiagalia,
Oh that it were with me as in the months of old, as in the days, when, GOD, used to watch over me;
3 taa yake ilipowaka kichwani pangu, na pale nilipotembea gizani kwa nuru yake.
When his lamp shone over my head, by whose light, I could go through darkness;
4 Ee, kwamba ningekuwa kama nilivyokuwa katika siku za ujana wangu uhusiano wangu na Mungu ulivyokuwa mzuri,
As I was, in the days of my prime, when, the intimacy of GOD, was over my tent;
5 wakati Mwenyezi alipokuwa pamoja nami, na wanangu walipokuwa karibu nami,
While yet the Almighty was with me, round about me, were my young men;
6 wakati maisha yangu yalipokuwa yamejawa na utele, na mwamba uliponichuruzishia chemichemi za mafuta.
When my steps were bathed in milk, and, the rock, poured out beside me, rivulets of oil:
7 Nilipokwenda langoni mwa mji, nilipokaa katika eneo la mji,
When I went out to the gate unto the city, in the open place, made ready my seat,
8 vijana waliniona na walikaa mbali kwa kuniheshimu, na wazee waliinuka na kusimama kwa ajili yangu.
Young men saw me, and hid themselves, and, the aged, arose—they stood;
9 Wana wa mfalme waliacha kuongea nilipofika; wangeweka mkono wao katika vinywa vyao.
Rulers, restrained speech, and, a hand, laid they on their mouth;
10 Sauti za waheshimiwa zililazimishwa, na ndimi zao hazikuweza kuongea vinywani mwao.
The voice of nobles, was hushed, and their tongue to their palate, did cleave;
11 Kwani baada ya kunisikia, wangenibariki; waliponiona, wangeniona na kuniheshimu
When, the ear, heard, then it pronounced me happy, When, the eye, saw, then it bare me witness;
12 kwa maana nilikuwa nikiwasaidia masikini waliokuwa wakiteseka, na yatima, asiye na msaada.
Because I used to deliver the oppressed who was crying out for aid, the fatherless also, and him that had no helper;
13 Baraka zao waliokuwa karibu kuangamia zilinipata; niliufanya moyo wa mjane kuimba kwa furaha.
The blessing of him that was ready to perish, upon me was wont to descend, and, the heart of the widow, caused I to sing for joy;
14 Nilijivika utakatifu, nao ulinifunika; haki yangu ilikuwa kama kanzu na kilemba.
Righteousness, I put on, and it clothed me, Like a robe and turban, was my, justice;
15 Niliwasaidia vipofu; niliwasaidia walemavu.
Eyes, became I to the, blind, and, feet to the lame, was, I!
16 Niliwasaidia wahitaji; niliwasaidia hata wasionijua.
A father, was, I, to the needy, and, as for the cause which I knew not, I used to search it out;
17 Nilimnyamazisha mwovu; nilimpokonya manusura kutoka katika meno yake.
And I shivered the fangs of the perverse, —and, out of his teeth, I tare the prey.
18 Kisha nilisema nitakufa mahali salama; nitazizidisha siku zangu kama mchanga.
Then said I, Like a stem, shall I grow old, yea, as the sand, shall I multiply days:
19 Mizizi yangu imeenea majini, na umande kukaa usiku wote katika matawi yangu.
My root, is laid open to the waters, and, the dew, shall lodge for the night in my boughs;
20 Heshima yangu ni mpya daima, na nguvu za upinde wangu zipo katika mkono wangu kila wakati.
Mine honour, shall be young again with me, and, my bow, in my hand, be renewed.
21 Watu walinisikiliza; walinisubiri; walisikiliza ushauri wangu.
To me, men hearkened, and waited, and kept silence for my counsel;
22 Nilipo maliza kuongea hawakunena tena, maneno yangu yaliwatia nguvu kama mvua.
After I had spoken, they spake not again, and, upon them, used my speech to drop;
23 Waliningoja kama kungoja mvua; waliyathamini maneno yangu, kama walivyotamani mvua iliyokawia.
And they waited, as for rain, for me, and, their mouths, they opened wide for the spring-rain;
24 Niliwafurahia bila wao kutarajia; hawakukataa uzuri wa uso wangu.
I laughed at them—they lost confidence, and, the light of my countenance, they suffered not to fail;
25 Nilikuwa kama mfalme wao na kuwachagulia cha kufanya; nilikuwa kama mfalme katika jeshi lake, kama awafarijiye waombolezaji mazishini.
I chose out their way, and sat chief, —and abode, as king, in an army, as one who, to mourners, giveth comfort.
