Job 29
1 Og Job blev ved at fremføre sit Billedsprog og sagde:
Job went on speaking.
2 Gid jeg var som i de forrige Maaneder, som i de Dage, da Gud bevarede mig,
“I wish I was back in the old days when God looked after me!
3 da hans Lampe lyste over mit Hoved, da jeg gik igennem Mørket ved hans Lys;
His light shone above me and lit my way through the darkness.
4 som det var med mig i min Høsts Dage, der Guds Fortrolighed var over mit Telt;
When I was young and strong, God was my friend and spoke to me in my home.
5 da den Almægtige endnu var med mig, da mine Drenge vare omkring mig;
The Almighty was still with me and I was surrounded with my children.
6 da mine Trin badede sig i Mælk, og Klippen hos mig udgød Oliebække;
My herds produced much milk, and oil flowed freely from my olive presses.
7 da jeg gik ud til Porten op til Staden, da jeg lod berede mit Sæde paa Torvet.
I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square.
8 De unge saa mig og trak sig tilbage, og de gamle stode op og bleve staaende.
The young men saw me and moved out of the way; the elders would stand up for me.
9 De Øverste holdt op at tale, og de lagde Haanden paa deres Mund.
The leaders remained silent and covered their mouths with their hands.
10 Fyrsternes Røst forstummede, og deres Tunge hang ved deres Gane.
The voices of the officials were hushed; they held their tongues in my presence.
11 Thi det Øre, som hørte, priste mig salig, og det Øje, som saa mig, gav mig Vidnesbyrd.
Everyone who listened to me praised me; whoever saw me commended me,
12 Thi jeg reddede den fattige, som skreg, og den faderløse, som ingen Hjælper havde.
because I gave to the poor who called out to me and the orphans who had no one to help them.
13 Dens Velsignelse, som ellers maatte omkommet, kom over mig, og jeg frydede Enkens Hjerte.
Those who were about to die blessed me; I made the widow sing for joy.
14 Jeg iførte mig Retfærdighed, og den klædte sig i mig; min Dom var mig som en Kappe og et Hovedsmykke.
Being true and acting right were what I wore for clothing.
15 Jeg var den blindes Øje, og jeg var den lammes Fod.
I was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
16 Jeg var de fattiges Fader, og den mig ubekendtes Retssag undersøgte jeg.
I was like a father to the poor, and I defended the rights of strangers.
17 Og jeg sønderbrød den uretfærdiges Kindtænder, og jeg gjorde, at han maatte slippe Rovet af sine Tænder.
I broke the jaw of the wicked and made them drop their prey from their teeth.
18 Og jeg sagde: I min Rede vil jeg opgive Aanden og have Dage mangfoldige som Sand.
I thought I would die at home, after many years.
19 Min Rod skal aabne sig for Vandet, og Duggen skal blive om Natten paa mine Grene.
Like a tree my roots spread out to the water; the dew rests on my branches overnight.
20 Min Herlighed skal blive ny hos mig, og min Bue skal forynges i min Haand.
Fresh honors were always being given to me; my strength was renewed like an unfailing bow.
21 De hørte paa mig og ventede, og de tav til mit Raad.
People listened carefully to what I had to say; they kept quiet as they listened to my advice.
22 Havde jeg talt, toge de ikke igen til Orde, og min Tale faldt som Draaber over dem;
Once I had spoken they had nothing else to say; what I said was enough.
23 de ventede paa mig som paa en Regn, og de aabnede Munden vidt som efter den sildige Regn.
They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain.
24 Jeg smilte til dem, der vare mistrøstige; og de bragte ikke mit Ansigts Lys til at svinde.
When I smiled at them they could hardly believe it; my approval meant all the world to them.
25 Jeg udvalgte deres Vej og sad øverst, og jeg boede som en Konge iblandt Hærskaren, som den, der trøster de sørgende.
I decided the way forward as their leader, living like a king among his soldiers, and when they were sad I comforted them.
