Job 21
1 Then Job made answer and said,
そこでヨブは答えて言った、
2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
「あなたがたはとくと、わたしの言葉を聞き、これをもって、あなたがたの慰めとするがよい。
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
まずわたしをゆるして語らせなさい。わたしが語ったのち、あざけるのもよかろう。
4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
わたしのつぶやきは人に対してであろうか。わたしはどうして、いらだたないでいられようか。
5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
あなたがたはわたしを見て、驚き、手を口にあてるがよい。
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
わたしはこれを思うと恐ろしくなって、からだがしきりに震えわななく。
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
なにゆえ悪しき人が生きながらえ、老齢に達し、かつ力強くなるのか。
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
その子らは彼らの前に堅く立ち、その子孫もその目の前に堅く立つ。
9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
その家は安らかで、恐れがなく、神のつえは彼らの上に臨むことがない。
10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
その雄牛は種を与えて、誤ることなく、その雌牛は子を産んで、そこなうことがない。
11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
彼らはその小さい者どもを群れのように連れ出し、その子らは舞い踊る。
12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
彼らは手鼓と琴に合わせて歌い、笛の音によって楽しみ、
13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
その日をさいわいに過ごし、安らかに陰府にくだる。 (Sheol h7585)
14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
彼らは神に言う、『われわれを離れよ、われわれはあなたの道を知ることを好まない。
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?
全能者は何者なので、われわれはこれに仕えねばならないのか。われわれはこれに祈っても、なんの益があるか』と。
16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
見よ、彼らの繁栄は彼らの手にあるではないか。悪人の計りごとは、わたしの遠く及ぶ所でない。
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?
悪人のともしびの消されること、幾たびあるか。その災の彼らの上に臨むこと、神がその怒りをもって苦しみを与えられること、幾たびあるか。
18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
彼らが風の前のわらのようになること、あらしに吹き去られるもみがらのようになること、幾たびあるか。
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!
あなたがたは言う、『神は彼らの罪を積みたくわえて、その子らに報いられるのだ』と。どうかそれを彼ら自身に報いて、彼らにその罪を知らせられるように。
20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
すなわち彼ら自身の目にその滅びを見させ、全能者の怒りを彼らに飲ませられるように。
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
その月の数のつきるとき、彼らはその後の家になんのかかわる所があろうか。
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
神は天にある者たちをさえ、さばかれるのに、だれが神に知識を教えることができようか。
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
ある者は繁栄をきわめ、全く安らかに、かつおだやかに死に、
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
そのからだには脂肪が満ち、その骨の髄は潤っている。
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
ある者は心を苦しめて死に、なんの幸をも味わうことがない。
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
彼らはひとしくちりに伏し、うじにおおわれる。
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
見よ、わたしはあなたがたの思いを知り、わたしを害しようとするたくらみを知る。
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
あなたがたは言う、『王侯の家はどこにあるか、悪人の住む天幕はどこにあるか』と。
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
あなたがたは道行く人々に問わなかったか、彼らの証言を受け入れないのか。
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
すなわち、災の日に悪人は免れ、激しい怒りの日に彼は救い出される。
31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
だれが彼に向かって、その道を告げ知らせる者があるか、だれが彼のした事を彼に報いる者があるか。
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
彼はかかれて墓に行き、塚の上で見張りされ、
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.
谷の土くれも彼には快く、すべての人はそのあとに従う。彼の前に行った者も数えきれない。
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?
それで、あなたがたはどうしてむなしい事をもって、わたしを慰めようとするのか。あなたがたの答は偽り以外の何ものでもない」。
