Job 29
1 Job spoke again,
І Йов далі вів мову свою та й сказав:
2 “I wish/desire that I could be like I was previously, during the years when God took care of me.
„О, коли б я був той, як за місяців давніх, як за днів тих, коли борони́в мене Бог,
3 During those years, [it was as though] God’s lamp [MET] shone on me and gave me light while I walked in the darkness.
коли над головою моєю світився світильник Його, і при світлі його я ходив в темноті́,
4 At that time I was young and strong, and because God was my friend, [he protected] [PRS] my tent.
як був я за днів тих своєї погожої о́сени, коли Божа милість була над наме́том моїм,
5 Almighty [God] was with me during those years when all my children were around me.
коли Всемогу́тній зо мною ще був, а навко́ло мене — мої діти,
6 [My herds] provided me with plenty of milk, and streams of oil flowed from the rock where my olives were pressed.
коли мої кро́ки купалися в маслі, а скеля оли́вні струмки́ біля мене лила́!
7 “Whenever I went to [the place where the elders gathered at] the city gate, I sat down with them,
Коли я вихо́див до брами при місті, і ставив на площі сиді́ння своє,
8 and when the young men saw me, they stepped aside [respectfully], and the old men [also] stood [respectfully].
як тільки вбачали мене юнаки́ — то ховались, а ста́рші встава́ли й стояли,
9 The leaders of the people stopped talking [DOU],
зве́рхники стримували свою мову та клали долоню на уста свої, —
10 and even the most important men became quiet and ceased talking [MTY] [in order to hear me speak to them].
ховався тоді голос володарів, а їхній язик приліпа́в їм був до піднебі́ння,
11 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,
Бо яке ухо чуло про мене, то звало блаже́нним мене, і яке око бачило, то свідкувало за мене, —
12 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.
бо я рятував бідаря́, що про поміч кричав, і сироту́ та безпо́мічного.
13 Those who were suffering and about to die praised [PRS] me, and I caused widows [SYN] to sing joyfully, [because of my helping them].
Благослове́ння гинучого на ме́не прихо́дило, а серце вдовиці чинив я співа́ючим!
14 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].
Зодягавсь я у праведність, і вона зодягала мене, немов плащ та заві́й було право моє.
15 [It was as though] [MET] I was eyes for blind people and feet for people who were lame.
Очима я був для сліпого, а кривому — ногами я був.
16 I was [like] [MET] a father to poor people, and in courts I defended those who were strangers.
Бідаря́м я був батьком, супере́чку ж, якої не знав, я досліджував.
17 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.
Й я торо́щив злочинцеві ще́лепи, і виривав із зубів його схо́плене.
18 “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].’
І я говорив: Умру я в своєму гнізді́, і свої дні я помно́жу, немов той пісок:
19 I was [like a tree] [MET] whose roots reach down into the water and whose branches become wet with dew each night.
для води був відкритий мій корень, а роса зоставалась на вітці моїй.
20 People always honored me, and I was always [strong like] [MET] a new bow.
Моя слава була при мені все нова́, і в руці моїй лук мій відно́влював силу.
21 “When I spoke, people waited to hear [what I would say] and remained silent until I advised them [what they should do].
Мене слу́халися й дожида́ли, і мовчали на раду мою.
22 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].
По слові моїм уже не говорили, і падала мова моя на них кра́плями.
23 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].
І чекали мене, як дощу, і уста свої відкривали, немов на весінній той дощик.
24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them [to encourage them]; they became encouraged when they saw that I approved of them.
Коли я, бувало, сміявся до них, то не вірили, та світла обличчя мого не гаси́ли.
25 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.”
Вибирав я дорогу для них і сидів на чолі́, і пробува́в, немов цар той у ві́йську, коли тішить засму́чених він!
