< Ayubu 1 >
1 Kulikuwa na mtu katika nchi ya Usi jina lake Ayubu; na Ayubu alikuwa mwenye haki na mkamilifu, mmoja aliyemcha Mungu na kuepukana na
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and Job was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned from evil.
2 uovu. Wakazaliwa kwake watoto saba wa kiume na mabinti watatu.
There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
3 Alimiliki kondoo elfu saba, ngamia elfu tatu, jozi mia moja za maksai, na punda mia tano na idadi kubwa ya watumishi. Mtu huyu alikuwa mtu mkuu wa watu wote wa mashariki.
He possessed seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pairs of oxen, and five hundred donkeys and a great many servants. He was the man who was the greatest of all the people of the East.
4 Kwa siku yake kila mtoto wa kiume, hufanya karamu katika nyumba yake. Wakatuma na kuwaita dada zao watatu waje kula na kunywa pamoja nao.
On each son's assigned day, he would give a feast in his house. They would send and call for their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5 Baada ya siku za karamu zilipokuwa zimetimia, Ayubu hutuma kwao na kuwatakasa. Aliamka asubuhi na mapema na kutoa sadaka za kuteketezwa kwa kila mtoto wake, kwa kusema, “Yawezekana kwamba wanangu wamefanya dhambi na kumkufuru Mungu mioyoni mwao.” Siku zote Ayubu alifanya hivi.
When the days of the feast were over, Job would send for them and he would consecrate them. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings for each of his children, for he would say, “It may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job always did this.
6 Kisha ilikuwa siku ambayo watoto wa Mungu walikwenda kujihudhurisha mbele za BWANA. Shetani pia akaenda pamoja nao.
Then it was the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh. Satan also came with them.
7 BWANA akamuuliza Shetani, “Umetoka wapi wewe?” Kisha Shetani akamjibu BWANA na kusema, “Natoka kuzunguka zunguka duniani, kutembea huku na huko humo.”
Yahweh said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, “From wandering on the earth, from going back and forth on it.”
8 BWANA akamuuliza Shetani, “Je umemwangalia mtumishi wangu Ayubu? Kwa kuwa hakuna mmoja aliye kama yeye duniani, mtu mwenye haki na mkamilifu, mmoja aliyemcha Mungu na kuepukana na uovu.”
Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns from evil.”
9 Kisha Shetani akamjibu BWANA na kusema, “Je Ayubu amcha Mungu bila sababu?
Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, “Does Job fear God without reason?
10 Wewe hukumwekea kinga pande zote, kuzunguka nyumba yake, na kuzunguka vitu vyote alivyo navyo kutoka kila upande? Wewe umebariki kazi za mikono yake, na mifugo yake imeongezeka katika nchi.
Have you not put a barrier around him, around his house, and around all that is his from every side? You have blessed the deeds of his hands, and his cattle have burst forth in the land.
11 Lakini sasa nyosha mkono wako na uguse yote hayo aliyonayo, na uone kama hatakufuru mbele ya uso wako.”
But now stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and see if he does not curse you to your face.”
12 BWANA akamwambia Shetani, “Tazama, hayo yote aliyonayo yamo mkononi mwako. Isipokuwa juu yake yeye mwenyewe usinyoshe mkono wako.” Kisha Shetani akatoka mbele za BWANA.
Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him himself do not stretch out your hand.” Then Satan went away from the presence of Yahweh.
13 Ilitokea siku moja, wana wake wa kiume na binti zake walipokuwa wakila na kunywa mvinyo nyumbani mwa ndugu yao mkubwa.
It came about that on a certain day, his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.
14 Mjumbe akamfikia Ayubu na kusema, “Hao maksai walikuwa wakilima na punda walikuwa wakichunga karibu nao.
A messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside them.
15 Waseba wakawaangukia na kutoweka nao. Kwa wale watumishi, wamewaua kwa makali ya upanga. Mimi pekee nimeokoka kukuletea habari.”
Then the Sabeans fell on them and took them away. As for the servants, they have struck them with the edge of the sword. I alone have escaped to tell you.”
16 Wakati alipokuwa akiendelea kusema, akatokea mwingine pia na kusema, “Moto wa Mungu umeanguka toka mbinguni na kuwateketeza kondoo na watumishi. Mimi pekee nimeokoka kukuletea habari.”
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants. I alone have escaped to tell you.”
17 Wakati alipokuwa akiendelea kusema, akatokea mwingine pia na kusema, “Wakaldayo walifanya vikundi vitatu, wakawashambulia ngamia, na kuondoka nao. Kwa wale watumishi, wamewaua kwa makali ya upanga. Mimi pekee nimeokoka kukuletea habari.”
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups, attacked the camels, and have taken them away. As for the servants, they have struck them with the edge of the sword. I alone have escaped to tell you.”
18 Wakati alipokuwa akiendelea kusema, akatokea mwingine pia na kusema, “Wana wako wa kiume na binti zako walikuwa wakila na kunywa mvinyo nyumbani mwa ndugu yao mkubwa.
While he was yet speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.
19 Upepo wenye nguvu ulitokea jangwani na ukapiga pembe nne za nyumba. Ikawaangukia vijana hao, na wakafa wote. Mimi pekee nimeokoka kukuletea habari.
A strong wind came from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house. It fell on the young people, and they died. I alone have escaped to tell you.”
20 Kisha Ayubu akainuka, akalirarua joho lake, akanyoa kichwa chake, akaanguka chini kifudifudi na kumwabudu Mungu.
Then Job rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, lay facedown on the ground, and worshiped God.
21 Akasema, “Mimi nilitoka tumboni mwa mama yangu ni uchi, nami nitakuwa uchi wakati nitakaporudi huko. BWANA alitoa, na BWANA ametwaa. Jina la BWANA libarikiwe.”
He said, “I was naked when I came out of my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I will return there. It is Yahweh who gave, and it is Yahweh who has taken away. May the name of Yahweh be blessed.”
22 Katika mambo hayo yote, Ayubu hakutenda dhambi, wala hakumwazia Mungu kwa uovu.
In all this matter, Job did not sin, nor did he accuse God of wrongdoing.