Job 38
1 Så svarede HERREN Job ud fra Stormvejret og sagde:
Then did the Lord address Job out of the storm-wind, and said,
2 "Hvem fordunkler mit Råd med Ord, som er uden Mening?
Who is this that casteth darkness [on my] counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Omgjord som en Mand dine Lænder, jeg vil spørge, og du skal lære mig!
Do but gird up like a mighty man thy loins: and I will ask thee, and do thou inform me.
4 Hvor var du, da jeg grundede Jorden? Sig frem, om du har nogen Indsigt!
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? tell it, if thou hast any understanding [of it].
5 Hvem bestemte dens Mål - du kender det jo - hvem spændte Målesnor ud derover?
Who fixed her measurements, if thou knowest it? or who stretched the measuring-line over her?
6 Hvorpå blev dens Støtter sænket, hvem lagde dens Hjørnesten,
Upon what are her foundation-pillars placed at rest? or who laid her corner-stone:
7 mens Morgenstjernerne jubled til Hobe, og alle Gudssønner råbte af Glæde?
When altogether sang the morning stars in gladness, and shouted for joy all the sons of God?
8 Hvem stængte for Havet med Porte, dengang det brusende udgik af Moders Skød,
And who closed up with doors the sea, when, issuing forth, it came out of the deep bosom of the earth?
9 dengang jeg gav det Skyen til Klædning og Tågemulm til Svøb,
When I made the clouds its garment, and thick fog its swaddling-cloth,
10 dengang jeg brød det en Grænse og indsatte Portslå og Døre
And when I decreed for it my law, and set [for it] bars and doors,
11 og sagde: "Hertil og ikke længer! Her standse dine stolte Vover!"
And said, Thus far mayest thou come, but no farther; and here shall be stayed [thy strength] in the pride of thy waves?
12 Har du nogen Sinde kaldt Morgenen frem, ladet Morgenrøden vide sit Sted,
Didst thou ever, in all thy days, command the morning; didst thou ever assign the morning-dawn its place:
13 så den greb om Jordens Flige og gudløse rystedes bort,
That it might lay hold of the ends of the earth, so that the wicked might be shaken out therefrom?
14 så den dannedes til som Ler under Segl, fik Farve, som var den en Klædning?
She is changed as the sealing-clay: and [all things] stand as though newly clad.
15 De gudløses Lys toges fra dem, den løftede Arm blev knust.
And from the wicked is their light withdrawn, and the high-raised arm is broken.
16 Har du mon været ved Havets Kilder, har du mon vandret på Dybets Bund?
Didst thou ever penetrate as far as the springs of the sea? or wander through the bottom of the deep?
17 Mon Dødens Porte har vist sig for dig, skued du Mulmets Porte?
Were the gates of death ever laid open unto thee? or canst thou see the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Så du ud over Jordens Vidder? Sig frem, om du ved, hvor stor den er!
Hast thou a clear understanding of the breadth of the earth? Tell it, if thou knowest it all.
19 Hvor er Vejen til Lysets Bolig, og hvor har Mørket mon hjemme,
Where is the way [to the spot where] the light dwelleth? and the darkness—where is its place,
20 så du kunde hente det til dets Rige og bringe det hen på Vej til dets Bolig?
That thou mightest take each to its boundary, and that thou mightest mark the pathways to its house?
21 Du ved det, du blev jo født dengang, dine Dages Tal er jo stort!
Thou [surely] knowest it; because thou wast then born, and the number of thy days is great!
22 Har du været, hvor Sneen gemmes, og skuet, hvor Hagelen vogtes,
Didst thou ever enter into the treasuries of the snow? or canst thou see the treasuries of the hail,
23 den, jeg gemmer til Trængselens Tid, til Kampens og Krigens Dag?
Which I have reserved for the time of distress, for the day of fight and battle?
24 Hvor er Vejen did, hvor Lyset deler sig, hvor Østenvinden spreder sig ud over Jorden?
Where is the way [to the spot where] the light divideth itself, [where] the east wind is scattered over the earth?
25 Hvem åbnede Regnen en Rende og Tordenens Lyn en Vej
Who hath divided off watercourses for the overflowing rain, and a way for the lightning [that is followed by] thunders,
26 for at væde folketomt Land, Ørkenen, hvor ingen bor,
To bring rain on a land, void of men; on a wilderness wherein no son of earth [is found];
27 for at kvæge Øde og Ødemark og fremkalde Urter i Ørkenen?
To satisfy waste and desolate lands; and to promote the growth of the tender grass?
28 Har Regnen mon en Fader, hvem avlede Duggens Dråber?
Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of the dew?
29 Af hvilket Skød kom Isen vel frem, hvem fødte mon Himlens Rim?
Out of whose womb cometh forth the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven—who giveth birth to it?
30 Vandet størkner som Sten, Dybets Flade trækker sig sammen.
[When] like a stone the waters are congealed, and the face of the deep is bound in fetters?
31 Knytter du Syvstjernens Bånd, kan du løse Orions Lænker?
Canst thou bind together the chains of the Pleiades, or loosen the bands of Orion?
32 Lader du Aftenstjemen gå op i Tide, leder du Bjørnen med Unger?
Canst thou bring forth the constellations of the zodiac, each in its season? or canst thou guide the Bear with its young?
33 Kender du Himmelens Love, fastsætter du dens Magt over Jorden?
Knowest thou the laws of heaven? or dost thou appoint its rule on the earth?
34 Kan du løfte Røsten til Sky, så Vandskyl adlyder dig?
Canst thou lift up to the clouds thy voice, that the abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Sender du Lynene ud, så de går, og svarer de dig: "Her er vi!"
Canst thou send out lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here are we?
36 Hvem lagde Visdom i sorte Skyer, hvem gav Luftsynet Kløgt?
Who hath put wisdom in the dark clouds? or who hath given understanding to the bright meteors?
37 Hvem er så viis, at han tæller Skyerne, hvem hælder Himmelens Vandsække om,
Who ordaineth the skies with wisdom? or who emptieth out the bottles of heaven.
38 når Jorden ligger i Ælte, og Leret klumper sig sammen?
When the dust is poured out as molten metal, and the clods are made to cleave fast together?
39 Jager du Rov til Løvinden, stiller du Ungløvers hunger,
Dost thou hunt for the lioness her prey? and suppliest thou the food for the young lions,
40 når de dukker sig i deres Huler; ligger på Lur i Krat?
When they are couched in their lairs, rest in the thicket, lying in wait?
41 Hvem skaffer Ravnen Æde, når Ungerne skriger til Gud og flakker om uden Føde?
Who provideth for the raven his provision? when his young ones cry unto God, and wander about for lack of food?
