1
Ndipo Bildadi huyo Mshuhi akajibu, na kusema,
Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
2
Wewe utanena maneno haya hata lini? Maneno ya kinywa chako yatakuwa kama upepo mkuu hata lini?
“How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.
3
Je! Mungu hupotosha hukumu? Au, huyo Mwenyezi hupotosha yaliyo ya haki?
Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
4
Kwamba watoto wako wamemfanyia dhambi, Naye amewatia mkononi mwa kosa lao;
When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion.
5
Wewe ukimtafuta Mungu kwa bidii, Na kumsihi huyo Mwenyezi;
But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy,
6
Ukiwa wewe u safi na mwelekevu; Hakika yeye sasa angeamka kwa ajili yako, Na kuyafanya makazi ya haki yako kufanikiwa.
if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore your righteous estate.
7
Tena ujapokuwa huo mwanzo wako ulikuwa ni mdogo, Lakini mwisho wako ungeongezeka sana.
Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish.
8
Basi, uwaulize, tafadhali, vizazi vya zamani, Ujitie kuyaangalia yale baba zao waliyoyatafuta;
Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers.
9
(Kwani sisi tu wa jana tu, wala hatujui neno, Kwa kuwa siku zetu duniani ni kivuli tu;)
For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.
10
Je! Hawatakufunza wao, na kukueleza, Na kutamka maneno yatokayo mioyoni mwao?
Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding?
11
Je! Hayo mafunjo yamea pasipo matope Na makangaga kumea pasipo maji?
Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?
12
Yakiwa yakali mabichi bado, wala hayakukatwa, Hunyauka mbele ya majani mengine.
While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up more quickly than grass.
13
Ndivyo ulivyo mwisho wa hao wamsahauo Mungu; Na matumaini yake huyo mbaya huangamia;
Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.
14
Uthabiti wake utavunjika, Na matumaini yake huwa ni nyuzi za buibui.
His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.
15
Ataitegemea nyumba yake, isisimame; Atashikamana nayo, isidumu.
He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure.
16
Yeye huwa mti mbichi mbele ya jua, Nayo machipukizi yake huenea katika bustani yake.
He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden.
17
Mizizi yake huzonga-zonga chuguu, Huangalia mahali penye mawe.
His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.
18
Lakini, aking'olewa mahali pake, Ndipo patamkana, na kusema, Mimi sikukuona.
If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’
19
Tazama, furaha ya njia yake ni hii, Na wengine watachipuka kutoka katika nchi.
Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.
20
Tazama, Mungu hatamtupa mtu mkamilifu, Wala hatawathibitisha watendao uovu.
Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.
21
Bado atakijaza kinywa chako kicheko, Na midomo yako ataijaza shangwe.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy.
22
Hao wakuchukiao watavikwa aibu; Nayo hema yake mwovu haitakuwako tena.
Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”