< Job 29 >

1 And Job again took up the word and said,
ایوب به سخنان خود ادامه داده، گفت:
2 If only I might again be as I was in the months which are past, in the days when God was watching over me!
ای کاش روزهای گذشته بازمی‌گشت، روزهایی که خدا، نگهدار من بود
3 When his light was shining over my head, and when I went through the dark by his light.
و راهی را که در پیش داشتم روشن می‌ساخت و من با نور او در دل تاریکی قدم برمی‌داشتم!
4 As I was in my flowering years, when my tent was covered by the hand of God;
بله، در آن روزها کامران بودم و زیر سایهٔ خدا زندگی می‌کردم.
5 While the Ruler of all was still with me, and my children were round me;
خدای قادر مطلق همراه من بود و فرزندانم در اطراف من بودند.
6 When my steps were washed with milk, and rivers of oil were flowing out of the rock for me.
من پاهای خود را با شیر می‌شستم و از صخره‌ها برای من چشمه‌های روغن زیتون جاری می‌شد!
7 When I went out of my door to go up to the town, and took my seat in the public place,
در آن روزها به دروازهٔ شهر می‌رفتم و در میان بزرگان می‌نشستم.
8 The young men saw me, and went away, and the old men got up from their seats;
جوانان با دیدن من با احترام کنار می‌رفتند، پیران از جا برمی‌خاستند،
9 The rulers kept quiet, and put their hands on their mouths;
ریش‌سفیدان قوم خاموش شده، دست بر دهان خود می‌گذاشتند
10 The chiefs kept back their words, and their tongues were joined to the roofs of their mouths.
و بزرگان سکوت اختیار می‌کردند.
11 For when it came to their ears, men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness to me;
هر که مرا می‌دید و حرفهایم را می‌شنید از من تعریف و تمجید می‌کرد؛
12 For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter.
زیرا من به داد فقرا می‌رسیدم و یتیمانی را که یار و یاور نداشتند کمک می‌کردم.
13 The blessing of him who was near to destruction came on me, and I put a song of joy into the widow's heart.
کسانی را که دم مرگ بودند یاری می‌دادم و ایشان برایم دعای خیر می‌کردند و کاری می‌کردم که دل بیوه‌زنان شاد شود.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing, and was full of it; right decisions were to me a robe and a head-dress.
هر کاری که انجام می‌دادم از روی عدل و انصاف بود؛ عدالت جامه من بود و انصاف تاج من.
15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking.
برای کورها چشم و برای لنگان پا بودم؛
16 I was a father to the poor, searching out the cause of him who was strange to me.
برای فقرا پدر بودم و از حق غریبه‌ها دفاع می‌کردم.
17 By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away.
دندانهای ستمگران را می‌شکستم و شکار را از دهانشان می‌گرفتم.
18 Then I said, I will come to my end with my children round me, my days will be as the sand in number;
در آن روزها فکر می‌کردم که حتماً پس از یک زندگی خوش طولانی به آرامی در جمع خانوادۀ خود خواهم مرد.
19 My root will be open to the waters, and the night mist will be on my branches,
زیرا مانند درختی بودم که ریشه‌هایش به آب می‌رسید و شاخه‌هایش از شبنم سیراب می‌شد.
20 My glory will be ever new, and my bow will be readily bent in my hand.
پیوسته افتخارات تازه‌ای نصیبم می‌شد و به قدرتم افزوده می‌گشت.
21 Men gave ear to me, waiting and keeping quiet for my suggestions.
همه با سکوت به حرفهایم گوش می‌دادند و برای نصیحت‌های من ارزش قائل بودند.
22 After I had said what was in my mind, they were quiet and let my words go deep into their hearts;
پس از اینکه سخنانم تمام می‌شد آنها دیگر حرفی نمی‌زدند، زیرا نصایح من برای آنها قانع کننده بود.
23 They were waiting for me as for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains.
آنها مانند کسی که در زمان خشکسالی انتظار باران را می‌کشد، با اشتیاق در انتظار سخنان من بودند.
24 I was laughing at them when they had no hope, and the light of my face was never clouded by their fear.
وقتی که دلسرد بودند، با یک لبخند آنها را تشویق می‌کردم و بار غم را از دلهایشان برمی‌داشتم.
25 I took my place as a chief, guiding them on their way, and I was as a king among his army. ...
مانند کسی بودم که عزاداران را تسلی می‌دهد. در میان ایشان مثل یک پادشاه حکومت می‌کردم و مانند یک رهبر آنها را راهنمایی می‌نمودم.

< Job 29 >