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