1
Ndipo Ayubu akajibu, na kusema,
Then Job answered:
2
Yasikizeni sana maneno yangu; Jambo hili na liwe faraja yenu.
“Listen carefully to my words; let this be your consolation to me.
3
Niacheni, nami pia nitanena; Tena nikiisha nena, zidini kudhihaki.
Bear with me while I speak; then, after I have spoken, you may go on mocking.
4
Mimi, je! Mashitaka yangu yamhusu mwanadamu? Nami kwa nini nisikose kusubiri?
Is my complaint against a man? Then why should I not be impatient?
5
Niangalieni, mkastaajabu, Mkaweke mkono kinywani.
Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.
6
Hata nikumbukapo nahuzunika, Na utisho wanishika mwilini mwangu.
When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror.
7
Mbona waovu wanaishi, Na kuwa wazee, naam, na kuongezeka kuwa na nguvu?
Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?
8
Kizazi chao kinathibitika nao machoni pao, Na wazao wao mbele ya macho yao.
Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9
Nyumba zao zi salama pasina hofu, Wala fimbo ya Mungu haiwapigi.
Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
10
Fahali wao huvyaza wala hapungukiwi na nguvu; Ng'ombe wao mke huzaa, asiharibu mimba.
Their bulls breed without fail; their cows bear calves and do not miscarry.
11
Huwatoa kama kundi watoto wao. Na watoto wao hucheza.
They send forth their little ones like a flock; their children skip about,
12
Huimba kwa matari na kwa kinubi, Na kuifurahia sauti ya filimbi.
singing to the tambourine and lyre and making merry at the sound of the flute.
13
Siku zao hutumia katika kufanikiwa, Kisha hushuka kuzimuni ghafula.
They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace.
14
Walakini walimwambia Mungu. Tuondokee; Kwani hatutaki kuzijua njia zako.
Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.
15
Huyo Mwenyezi ni nani, hata tumtumikie? Nasi tutafaidiwa nini tukimwomba?
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
16
Tazama, kufanikiwa kwao hakumo mkononi mwao; Mashauri ya waovu na yawe mbali nami.
Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.
17
Je! Ni mara ngapi taa yao waovu huzimishwa? Na msiba wao kuwajilia? Na Mungu kuwagawanyia uchungu kwa hasira yake?
How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?
18
Ili wawe kama mabua makavu mbele ya upepo, Kama makapi yaliyochukuliwa na dhoruba?
Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?
19
Mwasema, Mungu huwawekea watoto wa mtu huo uovu wake. Na amlipe mwenyewe, ili apate kuujua.
It is said that God lays up one’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the man himself, so he will know it.
20
Macho yake mwenyewe na yaone uharibifu wake, Akanywe ghadhabu zake Mwenyezi.
Let his eyes see his own destruction; let him drink for himself the wrath of the Almighty.
21
Kwani ana furaha gani katika mbari yake baada yake, Hesabu ya miezi yake itakapokwisha katwa katikati?
For what does he care about his household after him, when the number of his months has run out?
22
Je! Mtu awaye yote atamfundisha Mungu maarifa? Naye ndiye awahukumuye walioko juu.
Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since He judges those on high?
23
Mmoja hufa katika nguvu zake kamili, Mwenye kukaa salama na kustarehe;
One man dies full of vigor, completely secure and at ease.
24
Vyombo vyake vimejaa maziwa, Na mafuta ya mifupani mwake ni laini.
His body is well nourished, and his bones are rich with marrow.
25
Mwingine hufa katika uchungu wa roho, Asionje mema kamwe.
Yet another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, having never tasted prosperity.
26
Wao hulala mavumbini sawasawa, Mabuu huwafunika.
But together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them both.
27
Tazama, nayajua mawazo yenu, Na mashauri mnayoazimia kwa uovu juu yangu.
Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.
28
Kwa kuwa mwasema, Nyumba ya huyo mkuu i wapi? Na hema waliyoikaa hao waovu i wapi?
For you say, ‘Where now is the nobleman’s house, and where are the tents in which the wicked dwell?’
29
Je! Hamkuwauliza wapitao njiani? Na maonyo yao hamyajui?
Have you never asked those who travel the roads? Do you not accept their reports?
30
Kwamba mwovu huachiliwa katika siku ya msiba? Na kuongozwa nje katika siku ya ghadhabu?
Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath.
31
Ni nani atakayetangaza njia yake usoni pake? Tena ni nani atakayemlipa kwa hayo aliyofanya?
Who denounces his behavior to his face? Who repays him for what he has done?
32
Pamoja na hayo atachukuliwa kaburini, Nao watalinda zamu juu ya ziara lake.
He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
33
Udongo wa bondeni utakuwa tamu kwake, Na watu wote watafuata nyuma yake, Kama vile walivyomtangulia watu wasiohesabika.
The clods of the valley are sweet to him; everyone follows behind him, and those before him are without number.
34
Basi imekuwaje ninyi kunituza moyo bure, Kwa kuwa katika jawabu zenu unasalia uongo tu.
So how can you comfort me with empty words? For your answers remain full of falsehood.”