Job 22
1 Saa tog Temaniten Elifaz til Orde og sagde:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 Gavner et Menneske Gud? Nej, den kloge gavner sig selv.
Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.
3 Har den Almægtige godt af din Retfærd, Vinding af, at din Vandel er ret?
Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?
4 Revser han dig for din Gudsfrygt? Eller gaar han i Rette med dig derfor?
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 Er ikke din Ondskab stor og din Brøde uden Ende?
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 Thi du pantede Brødre uden Grund, trak Klæderne af de nøgne,
For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it.
7 gav ikke den trætte Vand at drikke og nægted den sultne Brød.
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 Den mægtige — hans var Landet, den hædrede boede der.
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 Du lod Enker gaa tomhændet bort, knuste de faderløses Arme.
You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 Derfor var der Snarer omkring dig, og Rædsel ængsted dig brat.
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 Dit Lys blev Mørke, du kan ej se, og Strømme af Vand gaar over dig!
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 Er Gud ej i højen Himmel? Se Stjernernes Tinde, hvor højt de staar!
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 Dog siger du: »Hvad ved Gud, holder han Dom bag sorten Sky?
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 Skyerne skjuler ham, saa han ej ser, paa Himlens Runding gaar han!«
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 Vil du følge Fortidens Sti, som Urettens Mænd betraadte,
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 de, som i Utide reves bort, hvis Grundvold flød bort som en Strøm,
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 som sagde til Gud: »Gaa fra os! Hvad kan den Almægtige gøre os?«
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 Og han havde dog fyldt deres Huse med godt. Men de gudløses Raad er ham fjernt.
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 De retfærdige saa det og glædede sig, den uskyldige spottede dem:
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 For vist, vore Fjender forgik, og Ild fortæred de sidste af dem.
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 Bliv Ven med ham og hold Fred, derved vil der times dig Lykke;
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 tag dog mod Lærdom af ham og læg dig hans Ord paa Sinde!
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 Vender du ydmygt om til den Almægtige, fjerner du Uretten fra dit Telt,
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 kaster du Guldet paa Jorden, Ofirguldet blandt Bækkenes Sten,
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 saa den Almægtige bliver dit Guld, hans Lov dit Sølv,
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 ja, da skal du fryde dig over den Almægtige og løfte dit Aasyn til Gud.
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 Beder du til ham, hører han dig, indfri kan du, hvad du har lovet;
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 hvad du sætter dig for, det lykkes, det lysner paa dine Veje;
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 thi stolte, hovmodige ydmyger han, men hjælper den, der slaar Øjnene ned;
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 han frelser uskyldig Mand; det sker ved hans Hænders Renhed!
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
