Tazama, jicho langu limeyaona hayo yote, Sikio langu limeyasikia na kuelewa nayo.
"Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.
Hayo myajuayo ninyi, na mimi pia nayajua; Mimi si duni kuliko ninyi.
What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.
Hakika ningenena naye huyo Mwenyezi, Nami nataka kuhojiana na Mungu.
"Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
Lakini ninyi hubuni maneno ya uongo, Ninyi nyote ni matabibu wasiofaa.
But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
Laiti mngenyamaza kabisa! Hilo lingekuwa hekima kwenu.
Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
Sikieni sasa basi hoja zangu, Mkayasikie mashindano ya midomo yangu.
Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
Je! Mtanena yasiyo ya haki kwa ajili ya Mungu, Na kusema kwa udanganyifu kwa ajili yake?
Will you speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?
Je! Mtamwonyesha yeye upendeleo? Mtamtetea Mungu?
Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
Je! Itafaa yeye kuwatafuta ninyi? Au, kama kumdanganya mtu, je! Mtamdanganya yeye?
Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
Hakika atawakemea ninyi, Mkiwapendelea watu kwa siri.
He will surely reprove you If you secretly show partiality.
Je! Huo ukuu wake hautawatia hofu, Na utisho wake hautawaangukia?
Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?
Matamko yenu ya hekima ni mithali ya majivu, Ngome zenu ni ngome za udongo.
Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
Nyamazeni, niacheni, ili nipate kunena, Na hayo yatakayonijilia na yaje.
"Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
Nitaitwaa nyama ya mwili wangu katika meno yangu, Na kuutwaa uhai wangu mkononi mwangu!
Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?
Tazama, ataniua; sina tumaini; ila hata hivyonitaithibitisha njia yangu mbele yake.
Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
Hili nalo litakuwa ni wokovu wangu; Kwani asiyemcha Mungu hatakaribia mbele yake.
This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
Sikieni sana maneno yangu, Maelezo yangu na yaingie masikioni mwenu.
Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
Angalieni sasa, nimekwisha kulitengeneza neno langu, Najua ya kuwa ni mwenye haki mimi.
See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
Yuko nani atakayeshindana nami? Maana sasa nitanyamaa kimya na kutoa roho.
Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
Lakini msinifanyie mambo mawili, hayo tu, Ndipo nami sitajificha usoni pako;
"Only don't do two things to me; Then I will not hide myself from your face:
Uondoe mkono wako usinilemee; Na utisho wako usinitie hofu.
Withdraw your hand far from me; And don't let your terror make me afraid.
Basi uite wakati huo, nami nitaitika; Au, niache ninene mimi, nawe unijibu.
Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and you answer me.
Maovu yangu na dhambi zangu ni ngapi? Nijulishe kosa langu na dhambi yangu.
How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
Mbona umeuficha uso wako, Na kunihesabu kuwa ni adui yako?
Why hide you your face, And hold me for your enemy?
Je! Utalitaabisha jani lipeperushwalo? Au, je! Utayafuatia hayo mabua makavu?
Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
Kwani umeandika maneno ya uchungu juu yangu, Na kunirithisha maovu ya ujana wangu;
For you write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:
Waitia miguu yangu katika mkatale, na kuyaaua mapito yangu yote; Wajiandikia alama kuzizunguka nyayo za miguu yangu;
You also put my feet in the stocks, And mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet:
Nijapokuwa ni kama kitu kilichooza, kinachosinyaa, Mfano wa nguo iliyoliwa na nondo.
Though I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.