Job 34

1 Then Elihu continued:

1 Kisha Elihu akasema:

2 “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.

2 “Sikieni maneno yangu, enyi watu wenye hekima; nisikilizeni mimi, ninyi watu wenye maarifa.

3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

3 Kwa kuwa sikio huyajaribu maneno kama vile ulimi uonjavyo chakula.

4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

4 Tujichagulie wenyewe yaliyo sawa, nasi tujifunze pamoja yaliyo mema.

5 For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

5 “Ayubu anasema, ‘Mimi sina hatia, lakini Mungu ameninyima haki yangu.

6 Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

6 Ingawa niko sawa, ninaonekana mwongo; nami ingawa sina kosa, kidonda changu hakiponi.’

7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

7 Ni mtu gani aliye kama Ayubu, anywaye dharau kama maji?

8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

8 Ashirikianaye na watenda mabaya na kuchangamana na watu waovu.

9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

9 Kwa kuwa anasema, ‘Haimfaidi mwanadamu kitu chochote anapojitahidi kumpendeza Mungu.’

10 Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.

10 “Hivyo nisikilizeni mimi, ninyi watu wenye ufahamu. Kamwe Mungu hatendi uovu, Mwenyezi hafanyi kosa.

11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.

11 Humlipa mwanadamu kwa ajili ya lile alilotenda; huleta juu yake kile ambacho matendo yake yanastahili.

12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

12 Ni jambo lisiloweza kufikiriwa kwamba Mungu angefanya makosa, kwamba Mwenyezi angepotosha hukumu.

13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?

13 Je, ni nani aliyemtawaza juu ya dunia? Ni nani aliyemweka kuwa mwangalizi wa ulimwengu wote?

14 If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

14 Kama lilikuwa kusudi la Mungu, naye akaiondoa Roho yake na pumzi yake,

15 all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

15 wanadamu wote wangeliangamia kwa pamoja, na mtu angerudi mavumbini.

16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.

16 “Kama ninyi mnaufahamu, sikieni hili; sikilizeni hili nisemalo.

17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

17 Je, yeye aichukiaye haki aweza kutawala? Je, utamhukumu mwenye haki, Aliye na Nguvu Zote?

18 who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

18 Je, si ni yeye awaambiaye wafalme, ‘Ninyi hamfai kitu,’ nao watu mashuhuri, ‘Ninyi ni waovu,’

19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

19 yeye asiyependelea wakuu, wala haonyeshi upendeleo kwa matajiri kuliko maskini, kwa kuwa wote ni kazi ya mikono yake?

20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

20 Wanakufa ghafula, usiku wa manane; watu wanatikiswa nao hupita; wenye nguvu huondolewa bila mkono wa mwanadamu.

21 For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.

21 “Macho yake yanazitazama njia za wanadamu; anaona kila hatua yao.

22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

22 Hakuna mahali penye giza nene, wala uvuli mkubwa, ambapo watenda mabaya wanaweza kujificha.

23 For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.

23 Mungu hana haja ya kumchunguza mtu sana, ili apate kuja mbele zake kwa hukumu.

24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.

24 Bila kuuliza huwapondaponda wenye nguvu nyingi na kuwaweka wengine mahali pao.

25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

25 Kwa sababu huyaangalia matendo yao yote, huwaondoa usiku, nao wakaangamia.

26 He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,

26 Anawaadhibu kwa ajili ya uovu wao mahali ambapo kila mmoja ataweza kuwaona,

27 because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.

27 kwa sababu wameacha kumfuata Mungu, nao hawakuiheshimu njia yake hata moja.

28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.

28 Wamesababisha kilio cha maskini kifike mbele zake, hivyo akasikia kilio cha wahitaji.

29 But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,

29 Lakini kama akinyamaza kimya, ni nani awezaye kumhukumu? Kama akiuficha uso wake, ni nani awezaye kumwona? Ikiwa ni taifa au mtu mmoja, kwake ni sawa,

30 that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.

30 ili kumzuia mtu mwovu kutawala, au wale ambao huwategea watu mitego.

31 Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

31 “Kama mwanadamu akimwambia Mungu, ‘Nimekosa lakini sitatenda dhambi tena.

32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

32 Nifundishe nisichoweza kuona; kama nimekukosea, sitafanya hivyo tena.’

33 Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

33 Je basi, Mungu atakulipa kwa masharti yako, wakati wewe umekataa kutubu? Yakupasa wewe uamue, wala si mimi; sasa niambie lile ulijualo.

34 Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:

34 “Wanadamu wenye ufahamu husema, wenye hekima wanaonisikia huniambia,

35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’

35 ‘Ayubu huongea bila maarifa; maneno yake hayana busara.’

36 If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.

36 Laiti Ayubu angejaribiwa hadi kikomo cha mwisho, kwa sababu anajibu kama mtu mwovu!

37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

37 Kwenye dhambi yake huongeza uasi; kwa dharau hupiga makofi miongoni mwetu, na kuzidisha maneno yake dhidi ya Mungu.”