約伯記 22
1 提幔人以利法回答說：
Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded and said,
2 人豈能使上帝有益呢？ 智慧人但能有益於己。
“How can anyone be of help to God? Even wise people are only helpful to themselves.
3 你為人公義，豈叫全能者喜悅呢？ 你行為完全，豈能使他得利呢？
Is it any benefit to the Almighty if you're a good person? What does he gain if you do what's right?
4 豈是因你敬畏他 就責備你、審判你嗎？
Does he correct you and bring charges against you because of your reverence?
5 你的罪惡豈不是大嗎？ 你的罪孽也沒有窮盡；
No: it's because you're so wicked! Your sins are never-ending!
6 因你無故強取弟兄的物為當頭， 剝去貧寒人的衣服。
For no reason at all you took your brother's clothing as a security for a debt, and left them stripped naked.
7 困乏的人，你沒有給他水喝； 飢餓的人，你沒有給他食物。
You refused water to the thirsty; you denied food to the hungry.
8 有能力的人就得地土； 尊貴的人也住在其中。
Is it because the land belongs to the powerful, and only the privileged have a right to live there?
9 你打發寡婦空手回去， 折斷孤兒的膀臂。
You have sent widows away empty-handed; you have crushed the outstretched arms of orphans, begging for help.
10 因此，有網羅環繞你， 有恐懼忽然使你驚惶；
That's why you're surrounded by traps to catch you, and why you suddenly panic in terror.
11 或有黑暗蒙蔽你， 並有洪水淹沒你。
That's why it's so dark you cannot see, and why you feel like you're drowning.
12 上帝豈不是在高天嗎？ 你看星宿何其高呢！
Doesn't God live in highest heaven and looks down on even the highest stars?
13 你說：上帝知道甚麼？ 他豈能看透幽暗施行審判呢？
But you ask, ‘What does God know? How can he see and judge what happens in down here in darkness?
14 密雲將他遮蓋，使他不能看見； 他周遊穹蒼。
Thick clouds cover him so he can't see anything as he walks around in heaven.’
15 你要依從上古的道嗎？ 這道是惡人所行的。
Why do you insist on following the traditional thinking of the wicked?
16 他們未到死期，忽然除滅； 根基毀壞，好像被江河沖去。
They were taken before their time; all they had built was washed away.
17 他們向上帝說：離開我們吧！ 又說：全能者能把我們怎麼樣呢？
They had told God, ‘Get lost! What can the Almighty do to us?’
18 哪知上帝以美物充滿他們的房屋； 但惡人所謀定的離我好遠。
And yet he was the one who had filled their homes with good things—but I don't accept their way of thinking.
19 義人看見他們的結局就歡喜； 無辜的人嗤笑他們，
Those who do right rejoice when they see the destruction of the wicked, and the innocent mock them,
20 說：那起來攻擊我們的果然被剪除， 其餘的都被火燒滅。
saying, ‘Our enemies are destroyed, and fire has burned up all that's left of them.’
21 你要認識上帝，就得平安； 福氣也必臨到你。
Come back to God and be reconciled to him, and you'll be prosperous again.
22 你當領受他口中的教訓， 將他的言語存在心裏。
Listen to what he tells you and keep his words in mind.
23 你若歸向全能者，從你帳棚中遠除不義， 就必得建立。
If you return to God you will be restored. If you renounce your sinful life
24 要將你的珍寶丟在塵土裏， 將俄斐的黃金丟在溪河石頭之間；
and give up your love of money and desire for possessions,
25 全能者就必為你的珍寶， 作你的寶銀。
then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver.
26 你就要以全能者為喜樂， 向上帝仰起臉來。
Then you will find delight in the Almighty, and be able to face him without feeling ashamed.
27 你要禱告他，他就聽你； 你也要還你的願。
You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will keep your promises to him.
28 你定意要做何事，必然給你成就； 亮光也必照耀你的路。
Whatever you decide to do will be successful, and wherever you go, light will shine on you.
29 人使你降卑，你仍可說：必得高升； 謙卑的人，上帝必然拯救。
When others are humbled, and you say, ‘please help them,’ God will save them.
30 人非無辜，上帝且要搭救他； 他因你手中清潔，必蒙拯救。
God saves those who are innocent, and you will be saved if you do what is right.”
