約伯記 21
1 約伯回答說：
Then Job answered and said:
2 你們要細聽我的言語， 就算是你們安慰我。
Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
3 請寬容我，我又要說話； 說了以後，任憑你們嗤笑吧！
Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 我豈是向人訴冤？ 為何不焦急呢？
As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
5 你們要看着我而驚奇， 用手摀口。
Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 我每逢思想，心就驚惶， 渾身戰兢。
Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
7 惡人為何存活， 享大壽數，勢力強盛呢？
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
8 他們眼見兒孫， 和他們一同堅立。
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 他們的家宅平安無懼； 上帝的杖也不加在他們身上。
Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 他們的公牛孳生而不斷絕； 母牛下犢而不掉胎。
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 他們打發小孩子出去，多如羊群； 他們的兒女踴躍跳舞。
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 他們隨着琴鼓歌唱， 又因簫聲歡喜。
They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave. (Sheol h7585)
14 他們對上帝說：離開我們吧！ 我們不願曉得你的道。
Yet they said unto God: 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.
15 全能者是誰，我們何必事奉他呢？ 求告他有甚麼益處呢？
What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?' —
16 看哪，他們亨通不在乎自己； 惡人所謀定的離我好遠。
Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 惡人的燈何嘗熄滅？ 患難何嘗臨到他們呢？ 上帝何嘗發怒，向他們分散災禍呢？
How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? that their calamity cometh upon them? that He distributeth pains in His anger?
18 他們何嘗像風前的碎稭， 如暴風颳去的糠詷呢？
That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
19 你們說：上帝為惡人的兒女積蓄罪孽； 我說：不如本人受報，好使他親自知道。
'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' — let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.
20 願他親眼看見自己敗亡， 親自飲全能者的忿怒。
Let his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 他的歲月既盡， 他還顧他本家嗎？
For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
22 上帝既審判那在高位的， 誰能將知識教訓他呢？
Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.
23 有人至死身體強壯， 盡得平靖安逸；
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 他的奶桶充滿， 他的骨髓滋潤。
His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
25 有人至死心中痛苦， 終身未嘗福樂的滋味；
And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
26 他們一樣躺臥在塵土中， 都被蟲子遮蓋。
They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
27 我知道你們的意思， 並誣害我的計謀。
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 你們說：霸者的房屋在哪裏？ 惡人住過的帳棚在哪裏？
For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
29 你們豈沒有詢問過路的人嗎？ 不知道他們所引的證據嗎？
Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
30 就是惡人在禍患的日子得存留， 在發怒的日子得逃脫。
That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
31 他所行的，有誰當面給他說明？ 他所做的，有誰報應他呢？
But who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 然而他要被抬到塋地； 並有人看守墳墓。
For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
33 他要以谷中的土塊為甘甜； 在他以先去的無數， 在他以後去的更多。
The clods of the valley are sweet unto him, and all men draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.
34 你們對答的話中既都錯謬， 怎麼徒然安慰我呢？
How then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?
