1
Walakini, Ayubu, nakuomba usikilize matamko yangu, Ukayasikilize maneno yangu yote.
“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
2
Tazama basi, nimefunua kinywa changu, Ulimi wangu umenena kinywani mwangu.
Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.
3
Maneno yangu yatatamka uelekevu wa moyo wangu; Na hayo niyajuayo midomo yangu itayanena kwa unyofu.
My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.
4
Roho ya Mungu imeniumba, Na pumzi za Mwenyezi hunipa uhai.
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5
Kwamba waweza, nijibu; Yapange maneno yako sawasawa mbele yangu, usimame.
Refute me if you can; prepare your case and confront me.
6
Tazama, mimi ni mbele ya Mungu kama ulivyo wewe; Mimi nami nilifinyangwa katika udongo.
I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.
7
Tazama, utisho wangu hautakutia hofu wewe, Wala sitakulemea kwa uzito.
Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.
8
Hakika umenena masikioni mwangu, Nami nimesikia sauti ya maneno yako, ukisema,
Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:
9
Mimi ni safi, sina makosa; Sina hatia, wala hapana uovu ndani yangu;
‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.
10
Tazama, yuaona sababu za kufarakana nami, Hunihesabu kuwa ni adui yake;
Yet God finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy.
11
Hunitia miguu yangu katika mkatale, Na mapito yangu yote huyapeleleza.
He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’
12
Tazama, nitakujibu, katika neno hili huna haki; Kwa maana Mungu ni mkuu kuliko mwanadamu.
Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
13
Nawe kwani kumnung'unikia, Kwa vile asivyotoa hesabu ya mambo yake yote?
Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?
14
Kwa kuwa Mungu hunena mara moja, Naam, hata mara ya pili, ajapokuwa mtu hajali.
For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.
15
Katika ndoto, katika maono ya usiku, Usingizi mzito uwajiliapo watu, Katika usingizi kitandani;
In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds,
16
Ndipo huyafunua masikio ya watu, Na kuyatia muhuri mafundisho yao,
He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings
17
Ili amwondoe mtu katika makusudio yake, Na kumfichia mtu kiburi;
to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,
18
Yeye huizuia nafsi yake isiende shimoni, Na uhai wake usiangamie kwa upanga.
to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword.
19
Yeye hutiwa adabu kwa maumivu kitandani mwake, Na kwa mashindano yaendeleayo daima mifupani mwake;
A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,
20
Hata roho yake huchukia chakula, Na nafsi yake huchukia nyama nzuri.
so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.
21
Nyama ya mwili wake huliwa, isionekane; Na mifupa yake isiyoonekana yatokea nje.
His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.
22
Naam, nafsi yake inakaribia shimoni, Na uhai wake unakaribia waangamizi.
He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.
23
Kwamba akiwapo malaika pamoja naye, Mkalimani, mmoja katika elfu, Ili kumwonyesha binadamu hayo yampasayo;
Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
24
Ndipo amwoneapo rehema, na kusema, Mwokoe asishuke shimoni; Mimi nimeuona ukombozi.
to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’
25
Nyama ya mwili wake itakuwa laini kuliko ya mtoto; Huzirudia siku za ujana wake;
then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.
26
Yeye humwomba Mungu, naye akamtakabalia; Hata auone uso wake kwa furaha; Naye humrejezea mtu haki yake.
He prays to God and finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man.
27
Yeye huimba mbele ya watu, na kusema, Mimi nimefanya dhambi, na kuyapotosha hayo yaliyoelekea, Wala sikulipizwa jambo hilo;
Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.
28
Yeye ameikomboa nafsi yangu isiende shimoni, Na uhai wangu utautazama mwanga.
He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’
29
Tazama, hayo yote ni Mungu anayeyafanya, Mara mbili, naam, hata mara tatu, kwa mtu,
Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times,
30
Ili kurudisha roho yake itoke shimoni, Ili atiwe mwanga kwa mwanga wa walio hai.
to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.
31
Angalia sana, Ee Ayubu, unisikilize; Nyamaza, mimi nitasema.
Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.
32
Kama una neno la kusema, nijibu; Nena, kwani nataka kukuhesabia kuwa na haki.
But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.
33
Kama sivyo, unisikilize mimi; Nyamaza, nami nitakufunza hekima.
But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”