Job 29
1 Und Hiob hub abermal an seine Sprüche und sprach:
Job spoke again,
2 O daß ich wäre wie in den vorigen Monden, in den Tagen, da mich Gott behütete,
“I wish/desire that I could be like I was previously, during the years when God took care of me.
3 da seine Leuchte über meinem Haupte schien, und ich bei seinem Licht in der Finsternis ging;
During those years, [it was as though] God’s lamp [MET] shone on me and gave me light while I walked in the darkness.
4 wie ich war zur Zeit meiner Jugend, da Gottes Geheimnis über meiner Hütte war;
At that time I was young and strong, and because God was my friend, [he protected] [PRS] my tent.
5 da der Allmächtige noch mit mir war und meine Kinder um mich her;
Almighty [God] was with me during those years when all my children were around me.
6 da ich meine Tritte wusch in Butter, und die Felsen mir Ölbäche gossen;
[My herds] provided me with plenty of milk, and streams of oil flowed from the rock where my olives were pressed.
7 da ich ausging zum Tor in der Stadt und ließ meinen Stuhl auf der Gasse bereiten;
“Whenever I went to [the place where the elders gathered at] the city gate, I sat down with them,
8 da mich die Jungen sahen und sich versteckten, und die Alten vor mir aufstunden;
and when the young men saw me, they stepped aside [respectfully], and the old men [also] stood [respectfully].
9 da die Obersten aufhöreten zu reden, und legten ihre Hand auf ihren Mund;
The leaders of the people stopped talking [DOU],
10 da die Stimme der Fürsten sich verkroch, und ihre Zunge an ihrem Gaumen klebte.
and even the most important men became quiet and ceased talking [MTY] [in order to hear me speak to them].
11 Denn welches Ohr mich hörete, der preisete mich selig, und welches Auge mich sah, der rühmte mich.
When they [SYN] all heard [what I told them], they said good things about me. When they [SYN] saw me (OR, what I had done), they commended me,
12 Denn ich errettete den Armen, der da schrie, und den Waisen, der keinen Helfer hatte.
because I had helped the poor people when they cried out for help and I aided/helped orphans who had no one else to help them.
13 Der Segen des, der verderben sollte, kam über mich; und ich erfreuete das Herz der Witwe.
Those who were suffering and about to die praised [PRS] me, and I caused widows [SYN] to sing joyfully, [because of my helping them].
14 Gerechtigkeit war mein Kleid, das ich anzog wie einen Rock; und mein Recht war mein fürstlicher Hut.
I always acted justly; my continually doing that was like [MET] a robe that I wore and a turban [that was wrapped around my head].
15 Ich war des Blinden Auge und des Lahmen Füße.
[It was as though] [MET] I was eyes for blind people and feet for people who were lame.
16 Ich war ein Vater der Armen; und welche Sache ich nicht wußte, die erforschete ich.
I was [like] [MET] a father to poor people, and in courts I defended those who were strangers.
17 Ich zerbrach die Backenzähne des Ungerechten und riß den Raub aus seinen Zähnen.
My causing wicked people [to be unable to continue oppressing others was like] [MET] breaking the fangs [of fierce wild animals] and forcing them to drop from their teeth/mouths the animals that they had caught/seized.
18 Ich gedachte: Ich will in meinem Nest ersterben und meiner Tage viel machen wie Sand.
“At that time I thought, ‘Surely I will live securely, until I am very old [SIM], and I will die at home [with my family].’
19 Meine Saat ging auf am Wasser; und der Tau blieb über meiner Ernte.
I was [like a tree] [MET] whose roots reach down into the water and whose branches become wet with dew each night.
20 Meine HERRLIchkeit erneuerte sich immer an mir; und mein Bogen besserte sich in meiner Hand.
People always honored me, and I was always [strong like] [MET] a new bow.
21 Man hörete mir zu, und schwiegen und warteten auf meinen Rat.
“When I spoke, people waited to hear [what I would say] and remained silent until I advised them [what they should do].
22 Nach meinen Worten redete niemand mehr; und meine Rede troff auf sie.
After I finished speaking, they did not say any more; [it was as though] [MET] my words fell on their ears [like refreshing drops of rain].
23 Sie warteten auf mich wie auf den Regen und sperreten ihren Mund auf als nach dem Abendregen.
They waited for me [to speak] like they wait for rain; they [appreciated what I said] like [MET] [farmers appreciate] the final rain in the spring [before the dry season].
24 Wenn ich sie anlachte, wurden sie nicht zu kühn darauf, und das Licht meines Angesichts machte mich nicht geringer.
When they were discouraged, I smiled at them [to encourage them]; they became encouraged when they saw that I approved of them.
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 was their leader, and I decided what things [would be good for them to do]; I was among them like [SIM] a king who is among his troops; I was like someone who comforts [others] who are mourning.”
