Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

Waphendula uJobe wathi:

2 “Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

“Lalamuhla ukusola kwami kulokhu kubuhlungu kabi, isandla sakhe siyasinda loba ngibubula kangaka.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

Ngabe ngiyakwazi lapho engingamfumana khona; aluba nje bengingaya emzini wakhe!

4 I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

Bengizayibeka kuhle indaba yami phambi kwakhe ngigcwalise umlomo wami ngamazwi empikiswano.

5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

Bengizakuzwa ukuthi yena uphendula athini, ngikuhlolisise lokho akutshoyo.

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

Kambe angangiphikisa ngamandla na? Hatshi, angazake angethese cala.

7 There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

Lapho umuntu oqotho ubengendlala indaba yakhe phambi kwakhe, njalo bengizakhululwa lanini kumahluleli wami.

8 “If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

Kodwa nxa ngisiya empumalanga, yena kakho khona; nxa ngisiya entshonalanga, kangimfumani khona.

9 He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

Nxa esemsebenzini enyakatho, kangimboni; angaphendukela eningizimu, kangiboni lokuthi tshazi kwakhe.

10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

Kodwa uyayazi indlela engihamba ngayo; nxa esengilingile, ngizaphuma senginjengegolide.

11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

Inyawo zami bezilokhu zilandelana lezinyathelo zakhe; ngalela endleleni yakhe angaze ngaphambuka.

12 I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Angigudlukanga emilayweni yezindebe zakhe; ngiwenze igugu amazwi omlomo wakhe ukwedlula isinkwa sami sansukuzonke.

13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

Kodwa uzimele yedwa, ngubani ongaphikisana laye na? Uyenza loba yini ayifunayo.

14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

Uyagcwalisa isimiso sakhe ngami, njalo manengi amacebo anjalo awagcinileyo.

15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

Yikho-nje ngithuthumela ukuma phambi kwakhe; ngithi ngingakukhumbula konke lokhu ngimesabe.

16 For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

UNkulunkulu usenze inhliziyo yami yaphela amandla; uSomandla usengethusile.

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

Kodwa kawuyikungithulisa umnyama lo, umnyama lo onzima ovala ubuso bami.”