Nafsi yangu inachoka na maisha yangu; Sitajizuia na kuugua kwangu; Nitanena kwa uchungu wa roho yangu.
"My soul is weary of my life; I will give free course to my complaint. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
Nitamwambia Mungu, Usinihukumie makosa; Nionyeshe sababu ya wewe kushindana nami.
I will tell God, 'Do not condemn me, Show me why you contend with me.
Je! Ni vema kwako wewe kuonea, Na kuidharau kazi ya mikono yako, Na kuyaangazia mashauri ya waovu?
Is it good to you that you should oppress, That you should despise the work of your hands, And smile on the counsel of the wicked?
Je! Wewe una macho ya kimwili, Au je! Waona kama aonavyo binadamu?
Do you have eyes of flesh? Or do you see as man sees?
Je! Siku zako ni kama siku za mtu, Au je! Miaka yako ni kama siku za mtu,
Are your days as the days of mortals, Or your years as man's years,
Hata ukauliza-uliza habari za uovu wangu, Na kuitafuta dhambi yangu,
That you inquire after my iniquity, And search after my sin?
Ujapojua ya kuwa mimi si mwovu; Wala hapana awezaye kuokoa na mkono wako?
Although you know that I am not wicked, There is no one who can deliver out of your hand.
Mikono yako imeniumba na kunifinyanga; Nawe utageuka na kuniangamiza?
'Your hands have framed me and fashioned me altogether; Yet you destroy me.
Kumbuka, nakusihi ulivyonifinyanga kama vile udongo; Nawe, je! Utanirudisha uvumbini tena?
Remember, I beg you, that you have fashioned me as clay. Will you bring me into dust again?
Je! Wewe hukunimimina kama maziwa, Na kunigandisha mfano wa jibini?
Haven't you poured me out like milk, And curdled me like cheese?
Umenivika ngozi na nyama, Na kuniunga pamoja kwa mifupa na mishipa.
You have clothed me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews.
Umenijazi uhai na upendeleo, Na maangalizi yako yameilinda roho yangu.
You have granted me life and loving kindness. Your visitation has preserved my spirit.
Lakini mambo haya uliyaficha moyoni mwako; Najua kuwa haya yamo nafsini mwako;
Yet you hid these things in your heart. I know that this is with you:
Nikifanya dhambi, ndipo waniangalia, Wala hutaniachilia na uovu wangu.
If I sin, then you mark me. You will not acquit me from my iniquity.
Mimi nikiwa mbaya, ole wangu! Nami nikiwa mwenye haki, walakini sitainua kichwa changu; Mimi nimejaa aibu Na kuyaangalia mateso yangu.
If I am wicked, woe to me. If I am righteous, I still shall not lift up my head, Being filled with disgrace, And conscious of my affliction.
Kichwa changu kikijiinua, waniwinda kama simba; Tena wajionyesha kwangu kuwa wa ajabu.
If my head is held high, you hunt me like a lion. Again you show yourself powerful to me.
Wewe warejeza upya hao mashahidi yako juu yangu, Na kasirani yako waiongeza juu yangu; Jeshi kwa jeshi juu yangu.
You renew your witnesses against me, And increase your indignation on me. Changes and warfare are with me.
Kwa nini basi kunitoa tumboni? Ningekata roho, lisinione jicho lo lote.
"'Why, then, have you brought me forth out of the womb? I wish I had given up the spirit, and no eye had seen me.
Ningalikuwa kama mtu asiyekuwapo; Ningalichukuliwa kaburini kutoka tumboni.
I should have been as though I had not been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
Je! Siku zangu si chache? Acha basi, Usinisumbue, nipate ngaa kutuzwa moyo kidogo.
Aren't my days few? Cease then, Leave me alone, that I may find a little comfort,
Kabla sijaenda huko ambako sitarudi kutoka huko tena, Ni hiyo nchi ya giza, giza tupu;
Before I go where I shall not return from, To the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;
Ni nchi ya giza kuu, kama giza lenyewe lilivyo; Ni nchi ya giza tupu, isiyo na matengezo ya mambo yo yote, Nchi ambayo nuru yake ni kama giza.
The land dark as midnight, Of the shadow of death, without any order, Where the light is as midnight.'"