Job 29
1 Und Hiob hub abermal an seine Sprüche und sprach:
And Job again took up the word and said,
2 O daß ich wäre wie in den vorigen Monden, in den Tagen, da mich Gott behütete,
If only I might again be as I was in the months which are past, in the days when God was watching over me!
3 da seine Leuchte über meinem Haupte schien, und ich bei seinem Licht in der Finsternis ging;
When his light was shining over my head, and when I went through the dark by his light.
4 wie ich war zur Zeit meiner Jugend, da Gottes Geheimnis über meiner Hütte war;
As I was in my flowering years, when my tent was covered by the hand of God;
5 da der Allmächtige noch mit mir war und meine Kinder um mich her;
While the Ruler of all was still with me, and my children were round me;
6 da ich meine Tritte wusch in Butter, und die Felsen mir Ölbäche gossen;
When my steps were washed with milk, and rivers of oil were flowing out of the rock for me.
7 da ich ausging zum Tor in der Stadt und ließ meinen Stuhl auf der Gasse bereiten;
When I went out of my door to go up to the town, and took my seat in the public place,
8 da mich die Jungen sahen und sich versteckten, und die Alten vor mir aufstunden;
The young men saw me, and went away, and the old men got up from their seats;
9 da die Obersten aufhöreten zu reden, und legten ihre Hand auf ihren Mund;
The rulers kept quiet, and put their hands on their mouths;
10 da die Stimme der Fürsten sich verkroch, und ihre Zunge an ihrem Gaumen klebte.
The chiefs kept back their words, and their tongues were joined to the roofs of their mouths.
11 Denn welches Ohr mich hörete, der preisete mich selig, und welches Auge mich sah, der rühmte mich.
For when it came to their ears, men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness to me;
12 Denn ich errettete den Armen, der da schrie, und den Waisen, der keinen Helfer hatte.
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.
13 Der Segen des, der verderben sollte, kam über mich; und ich erfreuete das Herz der Witwe.
The blessing of him who was near to destruction came on me, and I put a song of joy into the widow's heart.
14 Gerechtigkeit war mein Kleid, das ich anzog wie einen Rock; und mein Recht war mein fürstlicher Hut.
I put on righteousness as my clothing, and was full of it; right decisions were to me a robe and a head-dress.
15 Ich war des Blinden Auge und des Lahmen Füße.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking.
16 Ich war ein Vater der Armen; und welche Sache ich nicht wußte, die erforschete ich.
I was a father to the poor, searching out the cause of him who was strange to me.
17 Ich zerbrach die Backenzähne des Ungerechten und riß den Raub aus seinen Zähnen.
By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away.
18 Ich gedachte: Ich will in meinem Nest ersterben und meiner Tage viel machen wie Sand.
Then I said, I will come to my end with my children round me, my days will be as the sand in number;
19 Meine Saat ging auf am Wasser; und der Tau blieb über meiner Ernte.
My root will be open to the waters, and the night mist will be on my branches,
20 Meine HERRLIchkeit erneuerte sich immer an mir; und mein Bogen besserte sich in meiner Hand.
My glory will be ever new, and my bow will be readily bent in my hand.
21 Man hörete mir zu, und schwiegen und warteten auf meinen Rat.
Men gave ear to me, waiting and keeping quiet for my suggestions.
22 Nach meinen Worten redete niemand mehr; und meine Rede troff auf sie.
After I had said what was in my mind, they were quiet and let my words go deep into their hearts;
23 Sie warteten auf mich wie auf den Regen und sperreten ihren Mund auf als nach dem Abendregen.
They were waiting for me as for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains.
24 Wenn ich sie anlachte, wurden sie nicht zu kühn darauf, und das Licht meines Angesichts machte mich nicht geringer.
I was laughing at them when they had no hope, and the light of my face was never clouded by their fear.
25 Wenn ich zu ihrem Geschäfte wollte kommen, so mußte ich obenan sitzen und wohnete wie ein König unter Kriegsknechten, da ich tröstete, die Leid trugen.
I took my place as a chief, guiding them on their way, and I was as a king among his army. ...
