1
Mwanadamu aliyezaliwa na mwanamke Siku zake za kuishi si nyingi, naye hujaa taabu.
“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble.
2
Yeye huchanua kama vile ua, kisha hukatwa; Hukimbia kama kivuli, wala hakai kamwe.
Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.
3
Nawe, je! Wafumbua macho yako kumwangalia mtu kama yeye, Na kunitia katika hukumu pamoja nawe?
Do You open Your eyes to one like this? Will You bring him into judgment before You?
4
Ni nani awezaye kutoa kitu kilicho safi kitoke katika kitu kichafu? Hapana awezaye.
Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!
5
Kwa kuwa siku zake zimeamriwa, hesabu ya miezi yake unayo wewe, Nawe umemwekea mipaka yake asiyoweza kuipita;
Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed,
6
Acha kumwangalia yeye, apate kupumzika, Hata atakapoitimiza siku yake, kama aliyeajiriwa.
look away from him and let him rest, so he can enjoy his day as a hired hand.
7
Kwani yako matumaini ya mti, ya kuwa ukikatwa utachipuka tena, Wala machipukizi yake hayatakoma.
For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail.
8
Ijapokuwa mizizi yake huchakaa mchangani, Na shina lake kufa katika udongo;
If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil,
9
Lakini kwa harufu ya maji utachipuka, Na kutoa matawi kama mche.
at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling.
10
Lakini mwanadamu hufa, huifariki dunia; Naam, mwanadamu hutoa roho, naye yupo wapi?
But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?
11
Kama vile maji kupwa katika bahari, Na mto kupunguka na kukatika;
As water disappears from the sea and a river becomes parched and dry,
12
Ni vivyo mwanadamu hulala chini, asiinuke; Hata wakati wa mbingu kutokuwako tena, hawataamka, Wala kuamshwa usingizini.
so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep.
13
Laiti ungenificha kuzimuni, Ukanilinda kwa siri, hata ghadhabu zako zitakapopita, Na kuniandikia muda ulioamriwa, na kunikumbuka!
If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me!
14
Mtu akifa, je! Atakuwa hai tena? Mimi ningengoja siku zote za vita vyangu, Hata kufunguliwa kwangu kunifikilie.
When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes.
15
Wewe ungeita, nami ningekujibu; Ungekuwa na tamaa ya kazi ya mikono yako.
You will call, and I will answer; You will desire the work of Your hands.
16
Lakini sasa wazihesabu hatua zangu; Je! Huchungulii dhambi yangu?
For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin.
17
Kosa langu limetiwa muhuri mfukoni, Nawe waufunga uovu wangu.
My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity.
18
Lakini, tazama, mlima ukianguka hutoweka, Nalo jabali huondolewa mahali pake;
But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and a rock is dislodged from its place,
19
Maji mengi huyapunguza mawe; Mafuriko yake huuchukua mchanga wa nchi; Nawe matumaini ya wanadamu wayaangamiza.
as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a man’s hope.
20
Wewe wamshinda nguvu sikuzote, naye hupita aende zake Wabadili sura zake, na kumpeleka aondoke.
You forever overpower him, and he passes on; You change his countenance and send him away.
21
Wanawe hufikilia heshima, wala yeye hajui; Kisha wao huaibishwa, lakini yeye hana habari zao.
If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware.
22
Lakini mwili ulio juu yake una maumivu, Na nafsi yake ndani huomboleza.
He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.”