約伯記 29
1 約伯又接着說：
Job spoke again,
2 惟願我的景況如從前的月份， 如上帝保守我的日子。
“I wish/desire that I could be like I was previously, during the years when God took care of me.
3 那時他的燈照在我頭上； 我藉他的光行過黑暗。
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 我願如壯年的時候： 那時我在帳棚中， 上帝待我有密友之情；
At that time I was young and strong, and because God was my friend, [he protected] [PRS] my tent.
5 全能者仍與我同在； 我的兒女都環繞我。
Almighty [God] was with me during those years when all my children were around me.
6 奶多可洗我的腳； 磐石為我出油成河。
[My herds] provided me with plenty of milk, and streams of oil flowed from the rock where my olives were pressed.
7 我出到城門， 在街上設立座位；
“Whenever I went to [the place where the elders gathered at] the city gate, I sat down with them,
8 少年人見我而迴避， 老年人也起身站立；
and when the young men saw me, they stepped aside [respectfully], and the old men [also] stood [respectfully].
9 王子都停止說話， 用手摀口；
The leaders of the people stopped talking [DOU],
10 首領靜默無聲， 舌頭貼住上膛。
and even the most important men became quiet and ceased talking [MTY] [in order to hear me speak to them].
11 耳朵聽我的，就稱我有福； 眼睛看我的，便稱讚我；
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 因我拯救哀求的困苦人 和無人幫助的孤兒。
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 將要滅亡的為我祝福； 我也使寡婦心中歡樂。
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 我以公義為衣服， 以公平為外袍和冠冕。
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 我為瞎子的眼， 瘸子的腳。
[It was as though] [MET] I was eyes for blind people and feet for people who were lame.
16 我為窮乏人的父； 素不認識的人，我查明他的案件。
I was [like] [MET] a father to poor people, and in courts I defended those who were strangers.
17 我打破不義之人的牙床， 從他牙齒中奪了所搶的。
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 我便說：我必死在家中， 必增添我的日子，多如塵沙。
“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 我的根長到水邊； 露水終夜霑在我的枝上。
I was [like a tree] [MET] whose roots reach down into the water and whose branches become wet with dew each night.
20 我的榮耀在身上增新； 我的弓在手中日強。
People always honored me, and I was always [strong like] [MET] a new bow.
21 人聽見我而仰望， 靜默等候我的指教。
“When I spoke, people waited to hear [what I would say] and remained silent until I advised them [what they should do].
22 我說話之後，他們就不再說； 我的言語像雨露滴在他們身上。
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 他們仰望我如仰望雨， 又張開口如切慕春雨。
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 他們不敢自信，我就向他們含笑； 他們不使我臉上的光改變。
When they were discouraged, I smiled at them [to encourage them]; they became encouraged when they saw that I approved of them.
25 我為他們選擇道路，又坐首位； 我如君王在軍隊中居住， 又如弔喪的安慰傷心的人。
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.”
