約伯記 35

1 以利戶又說：

Moreover Elihu answered,

2 你以為有理， 或以為你的公義勝於上帝的公義，

“Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’

3 才說這與我有甚麼益處？ 我不犯罪比犯罪有甚麼好處呢？

that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’

4 我要回答你和在你這裏的朋友。

I will answer you, and your companions with you.

5 你要向天觀看， 瞻望那高於你的穹蒼。

Look to the skies, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

6 你若犯罪，能使上帝受何害呢？ 你的過犯加增，能使上帝受何損呢？

If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

7 你若是公義，還能加增他甚麼呢？ 他從你手裏還接受甚麼呢？

If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?

8 你的過惡或能害你這類的人； 你的公義或能叫世人得益處。

Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

9 人因多受欺壓就哀求， 因受能者的轄制便求救，

“By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

10 卻無人說：造我的上帝在哪裏？ 他使人夜間歌唱，

But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

11 教訓我們勝於地上的走獸， 使我們有聰明勝於空中的飛鳥。

who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’

12 他們在那裏， 因惡人的驕傲呼求，卻無人答應。

There they cry, but no one answers, because of the pride of evil men.

13 虛妄的呼求，上帝必不垂聽； 全能者也必不眷顧。

Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.

14 何況你說，你不得見他； 你的案件在他面前，你等候他吧。

How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!

15 但如今因他未曾發怒降罰， 也不甚理會狂傲，

But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance,

16 所以約伯開口說虛妄的話， 多發無知識的言語。

therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”