Job 23

1 Then Job answered:

1 Ndipo Ayubu akajibu:

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

2 “Hata leo malalamiko yangu ni chungu; mkono wake ni mzito juu yangu hata nikiugua.

3 If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.

3 Laiti ningefahamu mahali pa kumwona; laiti ningeweza kwenda mahali akaapo!

4 I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

4 Ningeliweka shauri langu mbele zake, na kukijaza kinywa changu na hoja.

5 I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

5 Ningejua kwamba angenijibu nini, na kuelewa lile ambalo angelisema.

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

6 Je, angenipinga kwa nguvu nyingi? La, asingenigandamiza.

7 Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

7 Hapo mtu mwadilifu angeweka shauri lake mbele zake, nami ningeokolewa milele na mhukumu wangu.

8 If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

8 “Lakini nikienda mashariki, hayupo; nikienda magharibi, simpati.

9 When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

9 Anapokuwa kazini pande za kaskazini, simwoni; akigeukia kusini, nako simwoni hata kidogo.

10 Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

10 Lakini anaijua njia niiendeayo; akiisha kunijaribu, nitatoka kama dhahabu.

11 My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

11 Nyayo zangu zimefuata hatua zake kwa karibu; nimeishika njia yake bila kukengeuka.

12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

12 Sijaziacha amri zilizotoka midomoni mwake; nimeyathamini maneno ya kinywa chake kuliko chakula changu cha kila siku.

13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

13 “Lakini yeye husimama peke yake; ni nani awezaye kumpinga? Yeye hufanya lolote atakalo.

14 For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

14 Hutimiliza maagizo yake dhidi yangu, na bado anayo mipango mingi kama hiyo ambayo ameiweka akiba.

15 Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

15 Hiyo ndiyo sababu ninaingiwa na hofu mbele zake; nifikiriapo haya yote ninamwogopa.

16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

16 Mungu ameufanya moyo wangu kuzimia; yeye Mwenyezi amenitia hofu.

17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

17 Hata hivyo sijanyamazishwa na giza, wala kwa giza nene linalofunika uso wangu.