约伯记 34
1 以利户又说：
Then Elihu continued,
2 你们智慧人要听我的话； 有知识的人要留心听我说。
“Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
3 因为耳朵试验话语， 好像上膛尝食物。
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 我们当选择何为是， 彼此知道何为善。
Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
5 约伯曾说：我是公义， 神夺去我的理；
Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
6 我虽有理，还算为说谎言的； 我虽无过，受的伤还不能医治。
Even though I'm right, I'm treated like a liar; I am dying from my wounds, even though I've done nothing wrong.’
7 谁像约伯， 喝讥诮如同喝水呢？
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 他与作孽的结伴， 和恶人同行。
He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
9 他说：人以 神为乐， 总是无益。
He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
10 所以，你们明理的人要听我的话。 神断不致行恶； 全能者断不致作孽。
So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
11 他必按人所做的报应人， 使各人照所行的得报。
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 神必不作恶； 全能者也不偏离公平。
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
13 谁派他治理地， 安定全世界呢？
Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
14 他若专心为己， 将灵和气收归自己，
If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
15 凡有血气的就必一同死亡； 世人必仍归尘土。
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 你若明理，就当听我的话， 留心听我言语的声音。
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 难道恨恶公平的可以掌权吗？ 那有公义的、有大能的，岂可定他有罪吗？
Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
18 他对君王说：你是鄙陋的； 对贵臣说：你是邪恶的。
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
19 他待王子不徇情面， 也不看重富足的过于贫穷的， 因为都是他手所造。
He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
20 在转眼之间，半夜之中， 他们就死亡。 百姓被震动而去世； 有权力的被夺去非借人手。
They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
21 神注目观看人的道路， 看明人的脚步。
For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
22 没有黑暗、阴翳能给作孽的藏身。
There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
23 神审判人，不必使人到他面前再三鉴察。
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 他用难测之法打破有能力的人， 设立别人代替他们。
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 他原知道他们的行为， 使他们在夜间倾倒灭亡。
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
26 他在众人眼前击打他们， 如同击打恶人一样。
He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
27 因为他们偏行不跟从他， 也不留心他的道，
because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
28 甚至使贫穷人的哀声达到他那里； 他也听了困苦人的哀声。
They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
29 他使人安静，谁能扰乱呢？ 他掩面，谁能见他呢？ 无论待一国或一人都是如此—
Yet if God wants to remain silent, who can condemn him? If he chooses to hide his face, who can see him? Whether it concerns a nation or an individual,
30 使不虔敬的人不得作王， 免得有人牢笼百姓。
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 有谁对 神说： 我受了责罚，不再犯罪；
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
32 我所看不明的，求你指教我； 我若作了孽，必不再作？
Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
33 他施行报应， 岂要随你的心愿、叫你推辞不受吗？ 选定的是你，不是我。 你所知道的只管说吧！
then should God reward you for following your own opinions since you have rejected his? You're the one who has to choose, not me! Tell us what you think.
34 明理的人和听我话的智慧人必对我说：
For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
35 约伯说话没有知识， 言语中毫无智慧。
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 愿约伯被试验到底， 因他回答像恶人一样。
If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
37 他在罪上又加悖逆； 在我们中间拍手， 用许多言语轻慢 神。
Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
