ایوب 29

1 ایوب به سخنان خود ادامه داده، گفت:

Job spoke again,

2 ای کاش روزهای گذشته بازمی‌گشت، روزهایی که خدا، نگهدار من بود

“I wish/desire that I could be like I was previously, during the years when God took care of me.

3 و راهی را که در پیش داشتم روشن می‌ساخت و من با نور او در دل تاریکی قدم برمی‌داشتم!

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 بله، در آن روزها کامران بودم و زیر سایهٔ خدا زندگی می‌کردم.

At that time I was young and strong, and because God was my friend, [he protected] [PRS] my tent.

5 خدای قادر مطلق همراه من بود و فرزندانم در اطراف من بودند.

Almighty [God] was with me during those years when all my children were around me.

6 من پاهای خود را با شیر می‌شستم و از صخره‌ها برای من چشمه‌های روغن زیتون جاری می‌شد!

[My herds] provided me with plenty of milk, and streams of oil flowed from the rock where my olives were pressed.

7 در آن روزها به دروازهٔ شهر می‌رفتم و در میان بزرگان می‌نشستم.

“Whenever I went to [the place where the elders gathered at] the city gate, I sat down with them,

8 جوانان با دیدن من با احترام کنار می‌رفتند، پیران از جا برمی‌خاستند،

and when the young men saw me, they stepped aside [respectfully], and the old men [also] stood [respectfully].

9 ریش‌سفیدان قوم خاموش شده، دست بر دهان خود می‌گذاشتند

The leaders of the people stopped talking [DOU],

10 و بزرگان سکوت اختیار می‌کردند.

and even the most important men became quiet and ceased talking [MTY] [in order to hear me speak to them].

11 هر که مرا می‌دید و حرفهایم را می‌شنید از من تعریف و تمجید می‌کرد؛

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 زیرا من به داد فقرا می‌رسیدم و یتیمانی را که یار و یاور نداشتند کمک می‌کردم.

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 کسانی را که دم مرگ بودند یاری می‌دادم و ایشان برایم دعای خیر می‌کردند و کاری می‌کردم که دل بیوه‌زنان شاد شود.

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 هر کاری که انجام می‌دادم از روی عدل و انصاف بود؛ عدالت جامه من بود و انصاف تاج من.

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 برای کورها چشم و برای لنگان پا بودم؛

[It was as though] [MET] I was eyes for blind people and feet for people who were lame.

16 برای فقرا پدر بودم و از حق غریبه‌ها دفاع می‌کردم.

I was [like] [MET] a father to poor people, and in courts I defended those who were strangers.

17 دندانهای ستمگران را می‌شکستم و شکار را از دهانشان می‌گرفتم.

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 در آن روزها فکر می‌کردم که حتماً پس از یک زندگی خوش طولانی به آرامی در جمع خانوادۀ خود خواهم مرد.

“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 زیرا مانند درختی بودم که ریشه‌هایش به آب می‌رسید و شاخه‌هایش از شبنم سیراب می‌شد.

I was [like a tree] [MET] whose roots reach down into the water and whose branches become wet with dew each night.

20 پیوسته افتخارات تازه‌ای نصیبم می‌شد و به قدرتم افزوده می‌گشت.

People always honored me, and I was always [strong like] [MET] a new bow.

21 همه با سکوت به حرفهایم گوش می‌دادند و برای نصیحت‌های من ارزش قائل بودند.

“When I spoke, people waited to hear [what I would say] and remained silent until I advised them [what they should do].

22 پس از اینکه سخنانم تمام می‌شد آنها دیگر حرفی نمی‌زدند، زیرا نصایح من برای آنها قانع کننده بود.

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 آنها مانند کسی که در زمان خشکسالی انتظار باران را می‌کشد، با اشتیاق در انتظار سخنان من بودند.

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 وقتی که دلسرد بودند، با یک لبخند آنها را تشویق می‌کردم و بار غم را از دلهایشان برمی‌داشتم.

When they were discouraged, I smiled at them [to encourage them]; they became encouraged when they saw that I approved of them.

25 مانند کسی بودم که عزاداران را تسلی می‌دهد. در میان ایشان مثل یک پادشاه حکومت می‌کردم و مانند یک رهبر آنها را راهنمایی می‌نمودم.

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.”