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.
你們要細聽我的言語， 就算是你們安慰我。
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
請寬容我，我又要說話； 說了以後，任憑你們嗤笑吧！
4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
我豈是向人訴冤？ 為何不焦急呢？
5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
你們要看着我而驚奇， 用手摀口。
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
我每逢思想，心就驚惶， 渾身戰兢。
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
惡人為何存活， 享大壽數，勢力強盛呢？
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
他們眼見兒孫， 和他們一同堅立。
9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
他們的家宅平安無懼； 上帝的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.
他們的公牛孳生而不斷絕； 母牛下犢而不掉胎。
11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
他們打發小孩子出去，多如羊群； 他們的兒女踴躍跳舞。
12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
他們隨着琴鼓歌唱， 又因簫聲歡喜。
13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
他們度日諸事亨通， 轉眼下入陰間。 (Sheol h7585)
14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
他們對上帝說：離開我們吧！ 我們不願曉得你的道。
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，我們何必事奉他呢？ 求告他有甚麼益處呢？
16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
看哪，他們亨通不在乎自己； 惡人所謀定的離我好遠。
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?
惡人的燈何嘗熄滅？ 患難何嘗臨到他們呢？ 上帝何嘗發怒，向他們分散災禍呢？
18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
他們何嘗像風前的碎稭， 如暴風颳去的糠詷呢？
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!
你們說：上帝為惡人的兒女積蓄罪孽； 我說：不如本人受報，好使他親自知道。
20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
願他親眼看見自己敗亡， 親自飲全能者的忿怒。
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
他的歲月既盡， 他還顧他本家嗎？
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
上帝既審判那在高位的， 誰能將知識教訓他呢？
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
有人至死身體強壯， 盡得平靖安逸；
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
他的奶桶充滿， 他的骨髓滋潤。
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
有人至死心中痛苦， 終身未嘗福樂的滋味；
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
他們一樣躺臥在塵土中， 都被蟲子遮蓋。
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
我知道你們的意思， 並誣害我的計謀。
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
你們說：霸者的房屋在哪裏？ 惡人住過的帳棚在哪裏？
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
你們豈沒有詢問過路的人嗎？ 不知道他們所引的證據嗎？
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
就是惡人在禍患的日子得存留， 在發怒的日子得逃脫。
31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
他所行的，有誰當面給他說明？ 他所做的，有誰報應他呢？
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
然而他要被抬到塋地； 並有人看守墳墓。
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.
他要以谷中的土塊為甘甜； 在他以先去的無數， 在他以後去的更多。
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?
你們對答的話中既都錯謬， 怎麼徒然安慰我呢？
