約伯記 29
1 約伯繼續他的言論說：
Job spoke again,
2 誰能賜我似以前的歲月，像以往天主護守我的時日呢﹖
“I wish/desire that I could be like I was previously, during the years when God took care of me.
3 那時他的燈，光照在我頭上，藉他的光明，我走過黑暗。
During those years, [it was as though] God’s lamp [MET] shone on me and gave me light while I walked in the darkness.
4 惟願我如壯年之時，那時天主護佑我的帳幕；
At that time I was young and strong, and because God was my friend, [he protected] [PRS] my tent.
5 全能者與我相偕，我的子女環繞著我；
Almighty [God] was with me during those years when all my children were around me.
6 那時我以奶油洗腳，崖石流油成河。
[My herds] provided me with plenty of milk, and streams of oil flowed from the rock where my olives were pressed.
7 當我走出城門，在市井設我座位之時，
“Whenever I went to [the place where the elders gathered at] the city gate, I sat down with them,
8 少年人看見我都迴避，老年人都起身站立；
and when the young men saw me, they stepped aside [respectfully], and the old men [also] stood [respectfully].
9 王侯停止講話，用手堵住自己的口；
The leaders of the people stopped talking [DOU],
10 首領不敢出聲，舌頭緊貼上顎。
and even the most important men became quiet and ceased talking [MTY] [in order to hear me speak to them].
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 they [SYN] all heard [what I told them], they said good things about me. When they [SYN] saw me (OR, what I had done), they commended me,
12 因為我援助了呼救的窮人，和無依無靠的孤兒。
because I had helped the poor people when they cried out for help and I aided/helped orphans who had no one else to help them.
13 那受喪亡之痛的人稱謝我，我使寡婦的心歡樂。
Those who were suffering and about to die praised [PRS] me, and I caused widows [SYN] to sing joyfully, [because of my helping them].
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。
I always acted justly; my continually doing that was like [MET] a robe that I wore and a turban [that was wrapped around my head].
15 我作了盲人的眼，跛者的腳。
[It was as though] [MET] I was eyes for blind people and feet for people who were lame.
16 我成了窮人之父，我調查過素不相識者的案件。
I was [like] [MET] a father to poor people, and in courts I defended those who were strangers.
17 我打碎惡人的燎牙，由他牙齒中奪出了獵物。
My causing wicked people [to be unable to continue oppressing others was like] [MET] breaking the fangs [of fierce wild animals] and forcing them to drop from their teeth/mouths the animals that they had caught/seized.
18 我心想：我必壽終正寢，我的壽數必如塵沙。
“At that time I thought, ‘Surely I will live securely, until I am very old [SIM], and I will die at home [with my family].’
19 我的根蔓延到水邊，夜間甘露落在我的枝葉上。
I was [like a tree] [MET] whose roots reach down into the water and whose branches become wet with dew each night.
20 我的榮耀不斷更新，我手中的弓日新月異。
People always honored me, and I was always [strong like] [MET] a new bow.
21 聽我講話的人，屏息等待，靜聽我的指教。
“When I spoke, people waited to hear [what I would say] and remained silent until I advised them [what they should do].
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 finished speaking, they did not say any more; [it was as though] [MET] my words fell on their ears [like refreshing drops of rain].
23 他們期待我如望甘霖，張著大口如渴盼春雨。
They waited for me [to speak] like they wait for rain; they [appreciated what I said] like [MET] [farmers appreciate] the final rain in the spring [before the dry season].
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。
When they were discouraged, I smiled at them [to encourage them]; they became encouraged when they saw that I approved of them.
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 was their leader, and I decided what things [would be good for them to do]; I was among them like [SIM] a king who is among his troops; I was like someone who comforts [others] who are mourning.”
