< Job 4 >

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,
Ndipo Elifazi Mtemani akajibu:
2 “If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
“Kama mtu akithubutu kuzungumza nawe, kutakukasirisha? Lakini ni nani awezaye kujizuia asiseme?
3 Behold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands.
Fikiri jinsi ambavyo umewafundisha watu wengi, jinsi ambavyo umeitia nguvu mikono iliyokuwa dhaifu.
4 Your words have supported him who was falling, you have made the feeble knees firm.
Maneno yako yamewategemeza wale waliojikwaa; umeyatia nguvu magoti yaliyokuwa dhaifu.
5 But now it has come to you, and you faint. It touches you, and you are troubled.
Lakini sasa hii taabu imekujia wewe, nawe unashuka moyo; imekupiga wewe, nawe unafadhaika.
6 Isn’t your piety your confidence? Isn’t the integrity of your ways your hope?
Je, kumcha Mungu kwako hakupaswi kuwa ndiyo matumaini yako na njia zako kutokuwa na lawama ndilo taraja lako?
7 “Remember, now, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
“Fikiri sasa: Ni mtu yupi asiye na hatia ambaye aliwahi kuangamia? Ni wapi wanyofu waliwahi kuangamizwa?
8 According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble, reap the same.
Kwa jinsi ambavyo mimi nimechunguza, wale walimao ubaya na wale hupanda uovu, huvuna hayo hayo hayo.
9 By the breath of God they perish. By the blast of his anger are they consumed.
Kwa pumzi ya Mungu huangamizwa; kwa mshindo wa hasira zake huangamia.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
Simba anaweza kunguruma na kukoroma, lakini bado meno ya simba mkubwa huvunjika.
11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey. The cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.
Simba anaweza kuangamia kwa kukosa mawindo, nao wana wa simba jike hutawanyika.
12 “Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it.
“Neno lililetwa kwangu kwa siri, masikio yangu yakasikia mnongʼono wake.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,
Katikati ya ndoto za kutia wasiwasi wakati wa usiku, hapo usingizi mzito uwapatapo wanadamu,
14 fear came on me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.
hofu na kutetemeka kulinishika na kufanya mifupa yangu yote itetemeke.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face. The hair of my flesh stood up.
Kuna roho aliyepita mbele ya uso wangu, nazo nywele za mwili wangu zikasimama.
16 It stood still, but I couldn’t discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes. Silence, then I heard a voice, saying,
Yule roho akasimama, lakini sikuweza kutambua kilikuwa kitu gani. Umbo fulani lilisimama mbele ya macho yangu, kukawa na ukimya kisha nikasikia sauti:
17 ‘Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?
‘Je, binadamu aweza kuwa mwadilifu kuliko Mungu? Je, mtu aweza kuwa safi kuliko Muumba wake?
18 Behold, he puts no trust in his servants. He charges his angels with error.
Kama Mungu hawaamini watumishi wake, kama yeye huwalaumu malaika zake kwa kukosea,
19 How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
ni mara ngapi zaidi wale waishio katika nyumba za udongo wa mfinyanzi, ambazo misingi yake ipo mavumbini, ambao wamepondwa kama nondo!
20 Between morning and evening they are destroyed. They perish forever without any regarding it.
Kati ya mawio na machweo huvunjwa vipande vipande; bila yeyote kutambua, huangamia milele.
21 Isn’t their tent cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.’
Je, kamba za hema yao hazikungʼolewa, hivyo hufa bila hekima?’

< Job 4 >