Job 21
1 Then Job made answer and said,
約伯回答說：
2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
你們且聽一聽我的話! 這也算是你們給我的安慰。
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
請讓我發言，我說完後，任你們笑罵。
4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
我豈是抱怨人﹖我失了忍耐，難道沒有理由﹖
5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
你們注意聽我，必要吃驚，且要用手堵住口。
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
甚至我一回想，我就恐怖，全身戰慄。
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
惡人為何享受高壽而勢力強大﹖
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
他們在世時，子孫昌盛，親眼看見子子孫孫。
9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
他們的住宅平安，無所畏懼，天主的棍杖也不加在他們身上。
10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
他們的公牛交尾，無不成功；母牛產子，決無流產。
11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
他們使孩子跑出像羊群，子女跳躍如麋鹿。
12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
他們伴著手鼓與豎琴歌唱，隨著笛聲歡呼。
13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
他們幸福地度過天年，平安地降入陰府。 (Sheol h7585)
14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
但他們曾向天主說：「離開我們! 我們不願知道你的道路。
15 What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
全能者是誰，竟叫我們事奉他﹖我們祈求他有什麼好處﹖」
16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
看啊! 他們的幸福，豈不在他們掌握中﹖惡人的思想豈不離他很遠﹖
17 How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?
惡人的燈有多少次熄滅過﹖災禍有多少次降在他們身上﹖天主何嘗因忿怒而消滅他們﹖
18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
使他們好像被風吹的碎湝﹖好像被暴風捲去的糠秕﹖
19 You say, God keeps punishment stored up for his children. Let him send it on the man himself, so that he may have the punishment of it!
難道天主要向他的兒子討罪債﹖其實應向他本人報復，叫他覺悟!
20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
叫他親眼看見自己的毀滅，親自飲下全能者的義怒之杯。
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
他既逝去，他本人的歲月已絕，他的家庭對他還有什麼相干﹖
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
天主既審判天上者，人豈能教給他什麼智識﹖
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
有人到死一無所缺，享盡了平安幸福。
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
他的腰部充滿脂肪，他的骨髓潤澤豐盈；
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
但有人卻至死心靈酸苦，一生毫無福樂；
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
他們卻一同埋於塵土，為蛆蟲所掩蓋。
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
我確知你們的思想，以及對我所籌劃的陰謀。
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
你們要問：「霸王的家在那裏﹖惡人住的帳幕在何處﹖」
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
你們怎麼不問過路的人﹖難道你們不承認他們的證據﹖
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
「惡人在毀滅之日不受害，在憤怒之日會得救。」
31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
他的動作，誰敢當面指摘﹖他的行為，誰能報復﹖
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
他最後被抬入墳墓，且親自守護自己的墓地。
33 The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.
谷中的土壤，他感覺甘美；眾人都跟他而去，但在他前面的人，更不可勝數。
34 Why then do you give me comfort with words in which there is no profit, when you see that there is nothing in your answers but deceit?
你們為何說空話來安慰我﹖你們的答話顯然只是欺詐!
