約伯記 29
1 約伯繼續他的言論說：
And Job again took up his measure, and said,
2 誰能賜我似以前的歲月，像以往天主護守我的時日呢﹖
Oh that it were with me as in the months of old, as in the days, when, GOD, used to watch over me;
3 那時他的燈，光照在我頭上，藉他的光明，我走過黑暗。
When his lamp shone over my head, by whose light, I could go through darkness;
4 惟願我如壯年之時，那時天主護佑我的帳幕；
As I was, in the days of my prime, when, the intimacy of GOD, was over my tent;
5 全能者與我相偕，我的子女環繞著我；
While yet the Almighty was with me, round about me, were my young men;
6 那時我以奶油洗腳，崖石流油成河。
When my steps were bathed in milk, and, the rock, poured out beside me, rivulets of oil:
7 當我走出城門，在市井設我座位之時，
When I went out to the gate unto the city, in the open place, made ready my seat,
8 少年人看見我都迴避，老年人都起身站立；
Young men saw me, and hid themselves, and, the aged, arose—they stood;
9 王侯停止講話，用手堵住自己的口；
Rulers, restrained speech, and, a hand, laid they on their mouth;
10 首領不敢出聲，舌頭緊貼上顎。
The voice of nobles, was hushed, and their tongue to their palate, did cleave;
11 凡有耳聽見我的，必稱我有福；凡有眼看見我的，都必稱讚我。
When, the ear, heard, then it pronounced me happy, When, the eye, saw, then it bare me witness;
12 因為我援助了呼救的窮人，和無依無靠的孤兒。
Because I used to deliver the oppressed who was crying out for aid, the fatherless also, and him that had no helper;
13 那受喪亡之痛的人稱謝我，我使寡婦的心歡樂。
The blessing of him that was ready to perish, upon me was wont to descend, and, the heart of the widow, caused I to sing for joy;
14 我披上正義，正義就如我衣；我的公正，猶如我的長袍和冠冕。
Righteousness, I put on, and it clothed me, Like a robe and turban, was my, justice;
15 我作了盲人的眼，跛者的腳。
Eyes, became I to the, blind, and, feet to the lame, was, I!
16 我成了窮人之父，我調查過素不相識者的案件。
A father, was, I, to the needy, and, as for the cause which I knew not, I used to search it out;
17 我打碎惡人的燎牙，由他牙齒中奪出了獵物。
And I shivered the fangs of the perverse, —and, out of his teeth, I tare the prey.
18 我心想：我必壽終正寢，我的壽數必如塵沙。
Then said I, Like a stem, shall I grow old, yea, as the sand, shall I multiply days:
19 我的根蔓延到水邊，夜間甘露落在我的枝葉上。
My root, is laid open to the waters, and, the dew, shall lodge for the night in my boughs;
20 我的榮耀不斷更新，我手中的弓日新月異。
Mine honour, shall be young again with me, and, my bow, in my hand, be renewed.
21 聽我講話的人，屏息等待，靜聽我的指教。
To me, men hearkened, and waited, and kept silence for my counsel;
22 我講話之後，無人再敢講話，我的話像水珠滴在他們身上。
After I had spoken, they spake not again, and, upon them, used my speech to drop;
23 他們期待我如望甘霖，張著大口如渴盼春雨。
And they waited, as for rain, for me, and, their mouths, they opened wide for the spring-rain;
24 我向他們微笑，他們不敢相信；我和善的面容，他們必不放過。
I laughed at them—they lost confidence, and, the light of my countenance, they suffered not to fail;
25 我為他們選擇了道路，身居前導，一如立在軍中的君王；我引他們到那裏，他們就去。
I chose out their way, and sat chief, —and abode, as king, in an army, as one who, to mourners, giveth comfort.
