Job 21
1 Job prit la parole et dit:
Then Job made answer and said,
2 Écoutez, écoutez mes paroles, Donnez-moi seulement cette consolation.
Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
3 Laissez-moi parler, je vous prie; Et, quand j’aurai parlé, tu pourras te moquer.
Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
4 Est-ce contre un homme que se dirige ma plainte? Et pourquoi mon âme ne serait-elle pas impatiente?
As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
5 Regardez-moi, soyez étonnés, Et mettez la main sur la bouche.
Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
6 Quand j’y pense, cela m’épouvante, Et un tremblement saisit mon corps.
At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
7 Pourquoi les méchants vivent-ils? Pourquoi les voit-on vieillir et accroître leur force?
Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
8 Leur postérité s’affermit avec eux et en leur présence, Leurs rejetons prospèrent sous leurs yeux.
Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Dans leurs maisons règne la paix, sans mélange de crainte; La verge de Dieu ne vient pas les frapper.
Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
10 Leurs taureaux sont vigoureux et féconds, Leurs génisses conçoivent et n’avortent point.
Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
11 Ils laissent courir leurs enfants comme des brebis, Et les enfants prennent leurs ébats.
They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
12 Ils chantent au son du tambourin et de la harpe, Ils se réjouissent au son du chalumeau.
They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
13 Ils passent leurs jours dans le bonheur, Et ils descendent en un instant au séjour des morts. (Sheol h7585)
Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
14 Ils disaient pourtant à Dieu: Retire-toi de nous; Nous ne voulons pas connaître tes voies.
Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
15 Qu’est-ce que le Tout-Puissant, pour que nous le servions? Que gagnerons-nous à lui adresser nos prières?
What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
16 Quoi donc! Ne sont-ils pas en possession du bonheur? Loin de moi le conseil des méchants!
Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
17 Mais arrive-t-il souvent que leur lampe s’éteigne, Que la misère fonde sur eux, Que Dieu leur distribue leur part dans sa colère,
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?
18 Qu’ils soient comme la paille emportée par le vent, Comme la balle enlevée par le tourbillon?
How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
19 Est-ce pour les fils que Dieu réserve le châtiment du père? Mais c’est lui que Dieu devrait punir, pour qu’il le sente;
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!
20 C’est lui qui devrait contempler sa propre ruine, C’est lui qui devrait boire la colère du Tout-Puissant.
Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
21 Car, que lui importe sa maison après lui, Quand le nombre de ses mois est achevé?
For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
22 Est-ce à Dieu qu’on donnera de la science, A lui qui gouverne les esprits célestes?
Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
23 L’un meurt au sein du bien-être, De la paix et du bonheur,
One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
24 Les flancs chargés de graisse Et la mœlle des os remplie de sève;
His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
25 L’autre meurt, l’amertume dans l’âme, Sans avoir joui d’aucun bien.
And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
26 Et tous deux se couchent dans la poussière, Tous deux deviennent la pâture des vers.
Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
27 Je sais bien quelles sont vos pensées, Quels jugements iniques vous portez sur moi.
See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
28 Vous dites: Où est la maison de l’homme puissant? Où est la tente qu’habitaient les impies?
For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
29 Mais quoi! N’avez-vous point interrogé les voyageurs, Et voulez-vous méconnaître ce qu’ils prouvent?
Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
30 Au jour du malheur, le méchant est épargné; Au jour de la colère, il échappe.
How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
31 Qui lui reproche en face sa conduite? Qui lui rend ce qu’il a fait?
Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
32 Il est porté dans un sépulcre, Et il veille encore sur sa tombe.
He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
33 Les mottes de la vallée lui sont légères; Et tous après lui suivront la même voie, Comme une multitude l’a déjà suivie.
The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.
34 Pourquoi donc m’offrir de vaines consolations? Ce qui reste de vos réponses n’est que perfidie.
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?
