1
Ndipo Ayubu akajibu, na kusema,
Then Job answered:
2
Je! Mtanichukiza nafsi yangu hata lini, Na kunivunja-vunja kwa maneno?
“How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?
3
Mara kumi hizi mmenishutumu; Hamwoni haya kunifanyia mambo magumu.
Ten times now you have reproached me; you shamelessly mistreat me.
4
Ingawaje nimekosa, Kosa langu hukaa kwangu mwenyewe.
Even if I have truly gone astray, my error concerns me alone.
5
Kwamba mtajitukuza juu yangu, Na kunena juu yangu shutumu langu;
If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my disgrace against me,
6
Jueni basi kuwa Mungu amenipotosha, Na kunizingira kwa wavu wake.
then understand that it is God who has wronged me and drawn His net around me.
7
Tazama, nalia, Udhalimu, lakini sisikiwi; Naulilia msaada, wala hapana hukumu.
Though I cry out, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.
8
Yeye ameiziba njia yangu nisipate kupita, Na kutia giza katika mapito yangu.
He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; He has veiled my paths with darkness.
9
Amenivua utukufu wangu, Na kuiondoa taji kichwani mwangu.
He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head.
10
Amenibomoa pande zote, nami nimetoweka; Na tumaini langu ameling'oa kama mti.
He tears me down on every side until I am gone; He uproots my hope like a tree.
11
Tena ameziwasha ghadhabu zake juu yangu, Akanihesabia kuwa mmoja katika watesi wake.
His anger burns against me, and He counts me among His enemies.
12
Majeshi yake husongea pamoja, na kunipandishia njia yao, Na kupiga marago kuizunguka hema yangu.
His troops advance together; they construct a ramp against me and encamp around my tent.
13
Amewaweka ndugu zangu mbali nami, Na wanijuao wametengwa nami kabisa.
He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me.
14
Watu wa mbari yangu wamekoma, Na rafiki zangu niwapendao wamenisahau.
My kinsmen have failed me, and my friends have forgotten me.
15
Wakaao nyumbani mwangu, na vijakazi vyangu, wanihesabu kuwa mgeni; Mimi ni mgeni machoni pao.
My guests and maidservants count me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight.
16
Namwita mtumishi wangu, wala haniitikii, Ingawa namsihi kwa kinywa changu.
I call for my servant, but he does not answer, though I implore him with my own mouth.
17
Pumzi zangu ni kama za mgeni kwa mke wangu, Nami ni machukizo kwa ndugu zangu.
My breath is repulsive to my wife, and I am loathsome to my own family.
18
Hata watoto wadogo hunidharau; Nikiondoka, huninena.
Even little boys scorn me; when I appear, they deride me.
19
Wasiri wangu wote wanichukia; Na hao niliowapenda wamenigeukia.
All my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me.
20
Mfupa wangu unagandamana na ngozi yangu na nyama yangu, Nami nimeokoka na ngozi ya meno yangu tu.
My skin and flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21
Nihurumieni, nihurumieni, enyi rafiki zangu, Kwa maana mkono wa Mungu umenigusa.
Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me.
22
Mbona ninyi mnaniudhi kama Mungu, Wala hamkutosheka na nyama yangu?
Why do you persecute me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh?
23
Laiti maneno yangu yangeandikwa sasa! Laiti yangeandikwa kitabuni!
I wish that my words were recorded and inscribed in a book,
24
Yakachorwa katika mwamba milele, Kwa kalamu ya chuma na risasi.
by an iron stylus on lead, or chiseled in stone forever.
25
Lakini mimi najua ya kuwa Mteteaji wangu yu hai, Na ya kuwa hatimaye atasimama juu ya nchi.
But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth.
26
Na baada ya ngozi yangu kuharibiwa hivi, Lakini, pasipokuwa na mwili wangu nitamwona Mungu;
Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.
27
Nami nitamwona mimi nafsi yangu, Na macho yangu yatamtazama, wala si mwingine. Mtima wangu unazimia ndani yangu.
I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!
28
Kama mkisema, Jinsi tutakavyomwudhi! Kwa kuwa shina la jambo hili limeonekana kwake;
If you say, ‘Let us persecute him, since the root of the matter lies with him,’
29
Uogopeni upanga; Kwa maana adhabu za upanga zina ghadhabu, Mpate kujua ya kwamba hukumu iko.
then you should fear the sword yourselves, because wrath brings punishment by the sword, so that you may know there is a judgment.”