Job 29

1 Job went on speaking.

約伯又接着說：

2 “I wish I was back in the old days when God looked after me!

惟願我的景況如從前的月份， 如上帝保守我的日子。

3 His light shone above me and lit my way through the darkness.

那時他的燈照在我頭上； 我藉他的光行過黑暗。

4 When I was young and strong, God was my friend and spoke to me in my home.

我願如壯年的時候： 那時我在帳棚中， 上帝待我有密友之情；

5 The Almighty was still with me and I was surrounded with my children.

全能者仍與我同在； 我的兒女都環繞我。

6 My herds produced much milk, and oil flowed freely from my olive presses.

奶多可洗我的腳； 磐石為我出油成河。

7 I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square.

我出到城門， 在街上設立座位；

8 The young men saw me and moved out of the way; the elders would stand up for me.

少年人見我而迴避， 老年人也起身站立；

9 The leaders remained silent and covered their mouths with their hands.

王子都停止說話， 用手摀口；

10 The voices of the officials were hushed; they held their tongues in my presence.

首領靜默無聲， 舌頭貼住上膛。

11 Everyone who listened to me praised me; whoever saw me commended me,

耳朵聽我的，就稱我有福； 眼睛看我的，便稱讚我；

12 because I gave to the poor who called out to me and the orphans who had no one to help them.

因我拯救哀求的困苦人 和無人幫助的孤兒。

13 Those who were about to die blessed me; I made the widow sing for joy.

將要滅亡的為我祝福； 我也使寡婦心中歡樂。

14 Being true and acting right were what I wore for clothing.

我以公義為衣服， 以公平為外袍和冠冕。

15 I was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.

我為瞎子的眼， 瘸子的腳。

16 I was like a father to the poor, and I defended the rights of strangers.

我為窮乏人的父； 素不認識的人，我查明他的案件。

17 I broke the jaw of the wicked and made them drop their prey from their teeth.

我打破不義之人的牙床， 從他牙齒中奪了所搶的。

18 I thought I would die at home, after many years.

我便說：我必死在家中， 必增添我的日子，多如塵沙。

19 Like a tree my roots spread out to the water; the dew rests on my branches overnight.

我的根長到水邊； 露水終夜霑在我的枝上。

20 Fresh honors were always being given to me; my strength was renewed like an unfailing bow.

我的榮耀在身上增新； 我的弓在手中日強。

21 People listened carefully to what I had to say; they kept quiet as they listened to my advice.

人聽見我而仰望， 靜默等候我的指教。

22 Once I had spoken they had nothing else to say; what I said was enough.

我說話之後，他們就不再說； 我的言語像雨露滴在他們身上。

23 They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain.

他們仰望我如仰望雨， 又張開口如切慕春雨。

24 When I smiled at them they could hardly believe it; my approval meant all the world to them.

他們不敢自信，我就向他們含笑； 他們不使我臉上的光改變。

25 I decided the way forward as their leader, living like a king among his soldiers, and when they were sad I comforted them.

我為他們選擇道路，又坐首位； 我如君王在軍隊中居住， 又如弔喪的安慰傷心的人。