1
Tazama, jicho langu limeyaona hayo yote, Sikio langu limeyasikia na kuelewa nayo.
“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.
2
Hayo myajuayo ninyi, na mimi pia nayajua; Mimi si duni kuliko ninyi.
What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3
Hakika ningenena naye huyo Mwenyezi, Nami nataka kuhojiana na Mungu.
Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
4
Lakini ninyi hubuni maneno ya uongo, Ninyi nyote ni matabibu wasiofaa.
You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
5
Laiti mngenyamaza kabisa! Hilo lingekuwa hekima kwenu.
If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
6
Sikieni sasa basi hoja zangu, Mkayasikie mashindano ya midomo yangu.
Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
7
Je! Mtanena yasiyo ya haki kwa ajili ya Mungu, Na kusema kwa udanganyifu kwa ajili yake?
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
8
Je! Mtamwonyesha yeye upendeleo? Mtamtetea Mungu?
Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
9
Je! Itafaa yeye kuwatafuta ninyi? Au, kama kumdanganya mtu, je! Mtamdanganya yeye?
Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?
10
Hakika atawakemea ninyi, Mkiwapendelea watu kwa siri.
Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
11
Je! Huo ukuu wake hautawatia hofu, Na utisho wake hautawaangukia?
Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
12
Matamko yenu ya hekima ni mithali ya majivu, Ngome zenu ni ngome za udongo.
Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13
Nyamazeni, niacheni, ili nipate kunena, Na hayo yatakayonijilia na yaje.
Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.
14
Nitaitwaa nyama ya mwili wangu katika meno yangu, Na kuutwaa uhai wangu mkononi mwangu!
Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?
15
Tazama, ataniua; sina tumaini; ila hata hivyonitaithibitisha njia yangu mbele yake.
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.
16
Hili nalo litakuwa ni wokovu wangu; Kwani asiyemcha Mungu hatakaribia mbele yake.
Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.
17
Sikieni sana maneno yangu, Maelezo yangu na yaingie masikioni mwenu.
Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
18
Angalieni sasa, nimekwisha kulitengeneza neno langu, Najua ya kuwa ni mwenye haki mimi.
See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.
19
Yuko nani atakayeshindana nami? Maana sasa nitanyamaa kimya na kutoa roho.
Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20
Lakini msinifanyie mambo mawili, hayo tu, Ndipo nami sitajificha usoni pako;
Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:
21
Uondoe mkono wako usinilemee; Na utisho wako usinitie hofu.
Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.
22
Basi uite wakati huo, nami nitaitika; Au, niache ninene mimi, nawe unijibu.
Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
23
Maovu yangu na dhambi zangu ni ngapi? Nijulishe kosa langu na dhambi yangu.
How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24
Mbona umeuficha uso wako, Na kunihesabu kuwa ni adui yako?
Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
25
Je! Utalitaabisha jani lipeperushwalo? Au, je! Utayafuatia hayo mabua makavu?
Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
26
Kwani umeandika maneno ya uchungu juu yangu, Na kunirithisha maovu ya ujana wangu;
For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
27
Waitia miguu yangu katika mkatale, na kuyaaua mapito yangu yote; Wajiandikia alama kuzizunguka nyayo za miguu yangu;
You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28
Nijapokuwa ni kama kitu kilichooza, kinachosinyaa, Mfano wa nguo iliyoliwa na nondo.
So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.