1moyo wangu waneta noupenyu hwangu; Handingazvidzori pakunyunyuta kwangu; Ndichataura neshungu dzomoyo wangu.
1My soul hath been weary of my life, I leave off my talking to myself, I speak in the bitterness of my soul.
2Ndichati kuna Mwari, Musandipa mhosva. Ndiratidzei kuti munorwa neni nemhaka yeiko?
2I say unto God, `Do not condemn me, Let me know why Thou dost strive [with] me.
3Zvinokufadzai here kumanikidza, Nokuzvidza basa ramaoko enyu, Muchivhenekera kurangana kwavakaipa here?
3Is it good for Thee that Thou dost oppress? That Thou despisest the labour of Thy hands, And on the counsel of the wicked hast shone?
4Munameso enyama here, Kana munoona somunhu here?
4Eyes of flesh hast Thou? As man seeth — seest Thou?
5Mazuva enyu akafanana namazuva omunhu here, Kana makore enyu namakore omunhu here?
5As the days of man [are] Thy days? Thy years as the days of a man?
6Zvamunobvunza zvakaipa zvangu, Nokunzvera zvivi zvangu,
6That Thou inquirest for mine iniquity, And for my sin seekest?
7Kunyange muchiziva kuti handizi wakaipa; Uye kuti hakuna anogona kurwira paruoko rwenyu here?
7For Thou knowest that I am not wicked, And there is no deliverer from Thy hand.
8Maoko enyu akandiita nokundiumba, Nhivi dzangu dzose; kunyange zvakadaro moda kundiparadza.
8Thy hands have taken pains about me, And they make me together round about, And Thou swallowest me up!
9Rangarirai, ndizvo zvandinokumbira, kuti makandiumba sevhu; Zvino muchandidzosera kuguruva here?
9Remember, I pray Thee, That as clay Thou hast made me, And unto dust Thou dost bring me back.
10Hamuna kundidurura somukaka here, Nokundikodza somukaka wakafa?
10Dost Thou not as milk pour me out? And as cheese curdle me?
11Makandifadza neganda nenyama, Mukandisunganidza namafupa namarunda.
11Skin and flesh Thou dost put on me, And with bones and sinews dost fence me.
12Makandipa upenyu netsitsi, Hanya dzenyu dzakachengeta mweya wangu.
12Life and kindness Thou hast done with me. And Thy inspection hath preserved my spirit.
13Asi makavanza zvinhu izvi mumoyo menyu; Ndinoziva kuti chinhu ichi chaiva nemwi kare.
13And these Thou hast laid up in Thy heart, I have known that this [is] with Thee.
14Kana ndikatadza munondicherekedza, Hamudi kundikangamwira kudarika kwangu.
14If I sinned, then Thou hast observed me, And from mine iniquity dost not acquit me,
15Kana ndiri wakaipa, ndine nhamo; Kana ndiri wakarurama, kunyange zvakadaro handingasimudzi musoro wangu; Zvandizere nokunyadzwa Ndichangotarira kutambudzika kwangu.
15If I have done wickedly — wo to me, And righteously — I lift not up my head, Full of shame — then see my affliction,
16Kana ndikazvikudza, munondironda seshumba; Munopamhazve kundishamisa nesimba renyu.
16And it riseth — as a lion Thou huntest me. And Thou turnest back — Thou shewest Thyself wonderful in me.
17Munowedzera zvapupu zvenyu kuzorwa neni, Nokuwanza kutsamwa kwenyu pamusoro pangu; Kushanduka nehondo zvineni.
17Thou renewest Thy witnesses against me, And dost multiply Thine anger with me, Changes and warfare [are] with me.
18Makandibudisireiko pachizvaro chamai? Ndingadai ndaifira hangumo, ndisati ndaonekwa neziso romunhu.
18And why from the womb Hast Thou brought me forth? I expire, and the eye doth not see me.
19Ndaiita hangu sendisina kuvapo; Ndaitakurirwa kuhwiro ndichibva pachizvaro chamai.
19As I had not been, I am, From the belly to the grave I am brought,
20Ko mazuva angu haazi mashoma here? Zvino gumai, Ndiregei henyu, kuti ndizorore zvishoma,
20Are not my days few? Cease then, and put from me, And I brighten up a little,
21Ndisati ndaenda kwandisingazodzoki, Kunyika yerima nomumvuri worufu;
21Before I go, and return not, Unto a land of darkness and death-shade,
22Iyo nyika yerima guru, rima chairo; Nyika yomumvuri worufu, panokukanganiswa, Ipapo chiedza chakafanana nerima.
22A land of obscurity as thick darkness, Death-shade — and no order, And the shining [is] as thick darkness.`