Job 21
1 But Job answered and said,
Kisha Ayubu akajibu na kusema,
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
“Sikilizeni hotuba yangu kwa makini, hii na iwe faraja yenu.
3 Bear with me that I may speak; and after I have spoken, mock on.
Nimeteswa, lakini pia nitasema; nikisha kusema, endeleeni kudhihaki.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
Lakini kwangu mimi, malalamikio yangu ni kwa mtu? Kwa nini nisiwe mwenye subira?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
Nitazameni na mshangae, nanyi wekeni mkono wenu midomoni mwenu.
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
Ninapoyafikiria mateso yangu, ninaumizwa, mwili wangu unaogopa.
7 Why do the wicked live, become old, and, are mighty in power?
Kwa nini waovu wanaendelea kuishi, wanazeeka, na kuwa na uwezo katika madaraka?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Wazao wao wanathibitishwa mbele zao, na uzao wao unaimarika machoni pao.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Nyumba zao ziko salama mbali na hofu; wala fimbo ya Mungu haiko juu yao.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
Dume lao la ng'ombe linazalisha; halishindwi kufanya hivyo; ng'ombe wao anazaa na hafishi ndama wake akiwa mchanga.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
Wanawapeleka wadogo wao kama kundi la kondoo, na watoto wao hucheza.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the flute.
Wanaimba kwa tari na vinubi na hufurahi kwa muziki na zomari.
Wanatumia siku zao katika mafanikio, na wanashuka kuzimu kwa utulivu. (Sheol h7585)
14 Therefore they say to God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
Wanamwambia Mungu, 'Ondoka kwetu kwani hatutaki ufahamu wowote juu ya njia zako.
15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?
Mwenye enzi ni nani, hata tumwabudu? Tutafaidika na nini tukimwabudu? Tutapata faida gani ikiwa tutamwomba?
16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Tazama, je mafanikio yao hayamo katika mikono yao wenyewe? Sina cha kufanya na ushauri wa waovu.
17 How oft is the lamp of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
Mara ngapi taa za waovu huzimwa, au kwamba majanga huja juu yao? Mara ngapi inatokea kwamba Mungu husambaza huzuni kwao kwa hasira?
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
Ni mara ngapi inatokea kwamba wanakuwa kama mabua mbele ya upepo au kama makapi yanayopeperushwa na dhoruba?
19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
Mnasema, 'Mungu huweka hatia ya mtu kwa watoto wake kuilipa.' Na alipe yeye mwenyewe, ili kwamba aweze kujua hatia yake mwenyewe.
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
Acha macho yake yaone uangamivu wake mwenyewe, na acha anywe gadhabu ya Mwenyezi.
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
Kwani anaangaliaje familia yake mbele yake idadi ya miezi yake inapokwisha.
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
Je kuna mtu anaweza kumfundisha Mungu maarifa kwa kuwa yeye huwaukumu hata walio juu?
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
Mtu mmoja ufa katika nguvu zake kamili, akiwa na utulivu kabisa na kwa amani.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
Mwili wake hauna uhitaji, na kiini cha mifupa yake ina unyevu na afya njema.
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
Mtu mwingine ufa kwa uchungu wa nafsi, bila kujifurahisha kwa jambo lolote jema.
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
Wanazikwa kaburini wote kwa pamoja, funza wanawafunika wote.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
Tazama, nayajua mawazo yenu, na jinsi mnavyotaka kunikosesha.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
Kwa kuwa mwasema, 'Iko wapi sasa nyumba ya mwana wa mfalme? Liko wapi kao alipokaa mwovu?'
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their signs,
Je hamjawauliza wasafiri? Hamfahamu wanavyoweza kusema,
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
kwamba mwovu anaepushwa na siku ya shida, na kwamba anawekwa mbali na siku ya gadhabu?
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
Ni nani atakaye ituhumu siku ya mwovu mbele yake? Ni nani atakayemwadhibu kwa alichokifanya?
32 Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
Hata hivyo atapelekwa kaburini; watu wataliona kaburi lake.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
Udongo wa bondeni utakuwa mtamu kwake; watu wote watamfuata, hata kuwe na watu wengi mbele yake.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
Ni jinsi gani basi mtanifariji bila kufikiri, kwa kuwa majibu yenu hayana lolote ila uongo?”
