約伯記新譯
第二章 對話與辯論(II)
III. 第二次辯論(15:1-21:34):
(I) 以利法答唱(15:1-35)
1 提縵人以利法答唱, 歌曰:
1. 再責自義(15:1-16):
新 譯 英 文
2 "智者會用空言回答, "Would a wise man wer with empty notions,
以熾熱東風果腹嗎? or fill his belly with the hot east wind?
3 他會用無益的語言, Would he argue with useless words,
和無用的話爭辯嗎? with speeches that have no value?
4 然而你卻不敬不虔, But you even undermine piety
失去了對神的忠心. and hinder devotion to God.
5 你的罪控制你的嘴, Your sin prompts your mouth;
你接納詭詐人的舌. you adopt the tongue of the crafty.
6 不是我口是你口譴責你; Your own mouth condemns you, not mine;
你的嘴自己指證控告你. Your own lips testify against you.
7 你是頭一個出生的人嗎? Are you the first man ever born?
是生在諸山未有之前嗎? Were you brought forth before the hills?
8 你聽過神的意旨嗎? Do you listen in on God's council?
你可以獨佔智慧嗎? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?
9 有甚麼你知我們不知? What do you know that we do not know?
何見識你有我們沒有? What insights do you have that we do not have?
10 白髮耆老站我們這邊, The gray-haired and the aged are on our side,
他們甚至老過你父親. men even older than your father.
11 難道神的安慰還不夠, Are God's consolations not enough for you,
說的話還不夠溫柔嗎? words spoken gently to you?
12-13 你的心為何把你帶走, Why has your heart carried you away,
你的眼為何閃發凶光; and why do your eyes flash,
使你的烈怒向神發作, so that you vent your rage against God
口出惡言去褻瀆衪呢? and pour out such words from your mouth?
14 人算甚麼能夠潔淨嗎? What is man, that he could be pure,
婦人生的能夠稱義嗎? or one born of woman, that he could be righteous?
15 神若不信任祂的聖者, f God places no trust in his holy ones,
在祂眼中天也不潔淨; if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes;
16 何況邪惡敗壞的世人, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt,
他們痛飲罪惡如喝水! who drinks up evil like water!
2. 惡人不安(15:17-35):
17 聽我說, 我要向你解釋; Listen to me and I will explain to you;
把我看到的告訴你. let me tell you what I have seen,
18 就是智者所宣示的, what wise men who have declared,
不隱瞞從列祖所受. hiding nothing received from their fathers
19 (在沒有外族經過時, (to whom alone the land was given
把這地獨賜給列祖): when no alien passed among them):
20 惡人一生飽受痛苦, All his days the wicked man suffers torment,
暴徒有生之年亦然. the ruthless through all the years stored up for him.
21 耳中迴響恐怖聲音, Terifying sounds fill his ears;
安穩之時突遭劫掠. when all seems well, marauders attack him.
22 絕望之中逃脫黑暗, He despairs of escaping the darkness;
他注定要死在刀下 . he is marked for the sword.
23 四處流浪成禿鷹獵物; He wanders about - food for vultures;
自知黑暗日子即將臨. he knows the day of darkness is at hand.
24 痛苦和不安使他惶恐; Distress and anguish fill him with terror;
恐怖緊張如君王迎敵. they overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack.
25 因為他向神揮舞拳頭, because he shakes his fist at God
更大膽向全能者誇耀. and vaunts himself against the Almighty,
26 手中拿著堅厚大盾牌, defiantly charging against him
狂妄大膽去向祂挑戰. with a thick, strong shield.
27 他雖然滿臉肥肉, Though his face is covered with fat
腰滿腸肥脹如鼓. and his waist bulges with flesh,
28 他住在荒涼礦場, he will inhabit mined towns
房屋空蕩無人居, and houses where no one lives,
行將倒塌成廢墟. house crumbling in rubble.
29 不再富有財難保; He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure,
產業不再遍各地. nor will his possessions spread over the land.
30 逃脫不出黑暗地, He will not escape the darkness;
神一口氣吹走他. and the breath of God's mouth will carry him away.
31 勿信虛假騙自己, Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless,
到頭來一無所得. for he will get nothing in return.
32 有生之年付總帳; Before his time he will be paid in full,
人丁子孫不興旺. and his branches will not flourish.
33 葡萄未熟被採摘, He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes,
橄欖樹花被搖落. like an olive tree shedding its blossoms.
34 無神之人絕子孫, For the company of the godless will be barren,
受賄之人帳火焚. and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes.
35 孕育禍害生罪惡; They conceive trouble and give birth to evil;
胎中孕育盡詭詐." their womb fashions deceit."
(II) 約伯辯駁(16:1-17:16):
約伯答辯, 歌曰:
新 譯 英 文
1. 安慰反效(16:1-5):
2 "我實在聽多了這些話, "I have heard many things like these;
你們全是差勁安慰者! miserable comforters are you all!
3 你們喋喋不休有沒完? Will your long-winded speeches never end?
甚麼毛病使爭辯不休? What ails you that you keep on arguing?
4 你們若落在我的境地, I also could speak like you,
我也會像你們那樣說. if you were in my place;
說漂亮的話指控你們, I could make fine speeches against you
並且向你們大搖其頭. and shake my head at you.
5 但我會用口鼓勵你們, But my mouth would encourage you;
用嘴安慰你們得溫慰. comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
2. 陳述痛苦(16:6-17):
6 "我若說話, 痛苦仍難消; "Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved;
我若閉口, 痛苦驅不散. and if refrain, it does not go away.
7 神啊! 你確使我精疲力竭; Surely, O God, you have worn me out;
把我全家無情毀滅 . you have devastated my entire household.
8 你把我捆綁作罪證; You have bound me - and it has become a witness;
形容枯槁也成事證. my gauntness rises up and testifies against me.
9 神怒中刺殺撕裂我, God assails me and tears me in his anger
並咬牙切齒恨透我; and gnashes his teeth at me;
我仇敵利眼緊盯我. my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes.
10 人們張口在嘲笑我, Men open their mouths to jeer at me;
打我的臉頰羞辱我, they strike my cheek in scorn
聯合一致來攻擊我. and unite together against me.
11 神更把我交給惡人, God has turned me over to evil men
丟在惡人的刑杖中. and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked.
12 我原諸事安順, 衪卻擊打我; All was well with me, but he shattered me;
又抓住我頸項, 把我摔粉碎. He seized me the neck and crushed me.
他把我當成他的標靶. He has made me his target;
13 祂的弓箭手把我包圍. his archers surround me.
毫不留情, 射穿我腰腎, Wihtout pity, he pierces my kidneys
打破我膽, 膽汁灑滿地. and spills my gall on the ground.
14 衪一次又一次打擊我, Again and again he brusts upon me;
像勇士向我猛烈衝撞. he rushes at me like a warrior.
15 我自縫麻衣蓋我體, I have sewed sackcloth over my skin
把額頭深埋塵土中. and buried my brow in the dust.
16 我因哀哭滿臉通紅, My face is red with weeping,
雙目周圍顯現黑圈; deep shadows ring my eyes;
17 而我雙手絕不施暴, Yet my hands have been free of violence
我的禱告誠正純浄. and my prayer is pure.
3. 向神哭訴(16:18-22):
18 "大地啊! 不要掩蓋我的血跡; "O earth, do not cover my blood;
願我的呼求永不停息! may my cry never be laid to rest!
19 至今我的見證人仍在天上, Even now my witness is in heaven;
我的辯護人還在高天. my advocate is on high.
20 當我向神淚流成河時, My intercessor is my friend
我的調停人全是我友; as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 他代表世人向神申訴, on behalf of a man he pleads with God
正如世人為友好求情. as a man pleads for his friend.
22 踏上一去不返之路前, Only a few years will pass
我所剩下歲月無多矣! before I go on the journey of no return."
4. 續陳痛苦(17:1-10):
1 "我的心靈破碎, "My spirit is broken,
我的日子無多, my days are cut short,
陰間正等候我. the grave awaits me.
2 嘲笑我的包圍我, Surely mockers surround me;
我雙目祗見敵意. my eyes must dwell on their hostility.
3 神啊! 求賜我你要的保證, Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.
還有誰肯為我作保? Who else will put up security for me?
4 你蒙閉他們理智之心; You have closed their minds to understanding;
因你不會讓他們得勝. therefore you will not let them triumph.
5 人若為獎賞出賣朋友 , If a man denounces his friends for reward,
他們兒女眼目必昏花. the eyes of his children will fail.
6 神已使我成為人笑柄, God has made me a byword to everyone,
人人都可向我吐口水. a man in whose face people spit.
7 我的雙目因憂傷昏花, My eyes have grown dim with grief;
我的身軀亦虛空如影. my whole frame is but a shadow.
8 正直人為之大感驚訝. Upright men are appalled at this;
無辜者奮起反無神者, the innocent are aroused against the ungodly.
9 只有義人會堅守己道, Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways,
手潔者定必日益壯大. and those with clean hands will grow stronger.
10 你們眾人啊! 起來再努力! But come on, all of you, try again!
因你們中間竟無一智者. I will not find a wise man among you.
5. 等候死亡(17:11-16):
11 "隨著我的日子消逝, "My day have passed, my plans are shattered,
我的籌謀和心中所欲全都破滅. and so are the desires of my heart.
12 這些人晝夜顛倒, These men turn night into day;
面對黑暗竟說, '光明近了!' in the face of darkness they say, 'Light is near.'
13 我盼望的家若在陰間, If the only home I hope for is the grave,
我若在漆黑之中鋪床. if I spread out my bed in darkness;
14 我若對敗壞說, '你是我父;' if I say to corruption, 'You are my father,'
對蟲兒說, '你是我母我姐.' and to the worm, 'My mother or my sister.'
15 這樣, 我的盼望在那裏? where then is my hope?
誰能在我身上看到希望? Who can see any hope in me?
16 會不會走入死亡之門? Will it go down to the gates of death?
我們會否同沉塵土中? Will we descend together into the dust?
(III) 比勒達答唱(18:1-21):
1 書亞人比勒達答唱, 歌曰:
1. 再責狡辯(18:1-4):
2 你胡言亂語要到幾時? "When will you end these speeches?
理智點我們才能對談. Be sensible, and then we can talk.
3 我們為何在你心目中, Why are we regarded as cattle
被視為牲畜和愚蠢呢? and considered stupid in your sight?
4 你在忿怒中撕碎自己, You who tear yourself to pieces in your rage,
難道大地會為你放棄? is the earth to be abandoned for your sake?
大石會為你移開原處? Or must the rocks be moved from their places.
2. 惡人禍患(18:5-21):
5 惡人的燈必熄滅, The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out;
燈燄吹熄暗無光. the flame of his fire stops burning.
6 他身旁的燈熄滅, The light in his tent becomes dark;
帳中無光一片黑. the lamp beside him goes out.
7 有勁的腳步變弱, The vigor of his step is weakened;
謀算把自己絆倒. his own schemes throw him down.
8 腳把自己陷網羅, His feet thrust him into net
掙扎網眼難脫身. and he wanders into the mesh.
9 陷阱困住他腳跟, A trap seizes him by the heel;
羅網緊纏他全身. a snare holds him fast.
10 套繩為他佈滿地, A nose is hidden for him on the ground;
陷阱遍佈他路上. a trap lies in his path.
11 四周恐怖驚嚇他, Terrors startle him on every side
緊密追尋他腳蹤. and dog his every step.
12 災難緊隨逃不了, Calamity is hungry for him;
跌倒更逢禍與災. disater is ready for him when he falls.
13 死亡長子吃其肢, It eats away parts of his skin;
吃去膚皮一大半. death's firstborn devours his limbs.
14 他從帳中被撕裂, He is torn from the security of his tent
帶到恐怖大王前. and marched off to the king of terror.
15 烈火燃燒在帳中, Fire resides in his tent;
硫磺火燄滿居所. burning sulfur is scaterred over his dwelling.
16 其根在地下枯乾, His roots dry up below
枝葉在地上凋萎. and his branches wither above.
17 世上不再記得他, The memory of him perishes from the earth;
名在地上全消失. he has no name in the land.
18 從光明趕入黑暗, He is driven from light into darkness
徹底從世上逐出. and is banished from the world.
19 在族中無子無孫, He has no offspring or descendants among his people,
居住地無人生還. no surviver where once he lived.
20 西方人驚其命運, Men of the west are appalled at his fate;
東方人膽戰心驚. men of the east are seized with terror.
21 壞人居所下場慘, Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man;
不識神者命亦然. such is the place of one who knows not God."
(IV) 約伯辯駁(19:1-29):
1 約伯答辯, 歌曰:
1. 責友過嚴(19:1-12):
2 你們要折磨我多久, "How long will you torment me
言語打擊我到幾時? and crush me with words?
3 你們已十次責備我, Ten times now you have reproached me,
並毫不為恥攻擊我. shamelessly you attack me.
4 若我真的偏離正道, If it is true that I have gone astray,
錯誤由我單獨承擔. my error remains my concern alone.
5 你們若真的凌架我, If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me
以我的羞辱攻擊我; and use my humiliation against me,
6 就該知道是神懲我, then know that God has wronged me
在我的四圍撒下網. and drawn his net around me.
7 我雖呼喊: '我受冤屈!' Though I cry, 'I've been wronged!'
但總是得不到回應; I got no response;
8 我呼求得不到公斷, though I call for help, there is no justice.
祂擋我路不讓通過; He has blocked my way so I cannot pass;
9 又以黑暗遮掩我路. he has shrouded my paths in darkness.
更剝奪了我的尊榮, He has stripped me of my honor
10 摘去我頭上的冠冕. and removed the crown from my head.
四面撕裂我直至死; He tears me down on every side till I am gone;
11 把我盼望如樹拔起. he uproots my hope like a tree.
祂的忿怒向我燃燒, His anger burns against me;
12 把我當作祂敵中敵. he counts me among his enemies.
他的大軍全力衝上, His troops advance in force;
構築工事把我圍困, they build a siege ramp against me
在我帳棚四周紮營. and encamp around my tent.
2. 親友疏遠(19:13-20):
13 衪使我的弟兄疏離我, He has alienated my brothers from me;
我的友好視我如陌路. my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 我的族人離我去, My kinsmen have gone away;
我的友好忘記我. my friends have forgotten me.
15 客婢待我如路人, My guests and my maidservants count me a stranger;
全都視我如外人. they look upon me as an alien.
16 呼喚家僕無人理; I summon my servant, but he does not answer,
親口哀求也無用. though I beg him with my own mouth.
17 我的口氣犯妻怒, My breath is offensive to my wife;
親兄弟也厭惡我. I am loathsome to my own brothers.
18 甚至孩童鄙視我, Even the little boys scorn me;
一見到我就嘲笑. when I appear, they ridicule me.
19 所有摯友厭棄我, All my intimate friends detest me;
我愛的人也反我. those I love have turned against me.
20 我只留下皮包骨, I am nothing but skin and bones;
脫逃只剩一層皮. I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth.
3. 求友憐憫(19:21-22):
21 我的朋友啊, 可憐我! 可憐我! Have pity on me, my friends, have pity,
因神的手正在無情打擊我. for the hand of God has struck me.
22 你們為何像神一樣追逼我? Why do you pursue me as God does?
難道還沒吃夠我的血和肉? Will you never get enough of my flesh?
4. 必蒙救恩(19:23-29):
23 啊! 但願我的話都記下, Oh, that my words were recorded,
全都寫在書卷上. that they were written on a scroll,
24 用鐵筆鉛頭鐫刻, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
永遠刻在磬石上! or engraved in rock forever!
25 我深知救贖主活著, I know that my Redeemer lives,
最後祂必堅立地上. and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
26 我的外皮毀壞之後, And after my skin has been destroyed,
我的肉體必得見神. yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 我自己必會看見衪, I myself will see him
是我自己而非別人. with my own eyes - I, and not another.
我的內心多麼渴望! How my heart yearns within me!
28 你們若說, '我們要怎樣追尋衪? If you say, 'How we will hound him,
因災禍根源來自衪, since the root of the trouble lies on him,
29 你們都當懼怕刀劍, You should fear the sword yourselves;
因忿怒必行刀劍刑, for wrath will bring punishment by the sword,
讓你們知道有審判.'" and then you will know that there is judgement.'"
(V) 瑣法答唱(20:1-29):
1 拿瑪人瑣法答唱, 歌曰:
2 "煩亂思緒促我回答, "My trouble thoughts prompt me to answer
因我極為困擾不安. because I am greatly disturbed.
3 我聽見詆譭我的責備, I hear a rebuke that dishonors me,
我的理性激勵我回答. and my understanding inspires me to reply.
4 你們定知亙古開始, Surely you know how it has been from of old,
地表面上有人以來, ever since man was placed on the earth,
5 惡人的歡笑很短暫, that the mirth of the wicked is brief,
壞人的喜樂只片刻. the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.
6 雖他的高傲直達天, Though his pride reaches to the heavens
他的頭顱高入雲霄, and his head troubles the clouds,
7 他將毀滅如已糞土, he will perish forever, like his own dung;
見過他的會問, '他在那裏?' those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'
8 他如夢飛逝無蹤影; like a dream he flies away, no more to be found,
被逐消失如夜夢幻. banished like a vision of the night.
9 見過他的不再見他, The eye that saw him will not see him again;
在他住所也不見他. his place will look on him no more.
10 兒女要向窮人賙濟, His children must make amends to the poor;
親手返還不義之財. his own hands must give back his wealth.
11 他的身體雖充滿活力, The youthful vigor that fills his bones
卻要與他同歸入塵土. will be with him in the dust.
12 罪惡雖甘甜在口, Though evil is sweet in his mouth
藏在舌下, and he hides it under his tongue,
13 不捨吐出, though he cannot bear to let it go
緊含口中; and keeps it in his mouth,
14 但食物在他胃中變酸, yet his food will turn sour in his stomach;
成為他體內惡蛇毒液. it will become the venon of serpents within him.
15 他要吐出吞下的財寶, He will spit out the riches he swallowed;
神會使其胃全都嘔出. God will make his stomach vomit them up.
23
16 他要吸吮惡蛇的毒液. He will suck the poison of serpents;
惡蛇的毒牙把他咬死. the fangs of an adder will kill him.
17 他必定享受不到 He will not enjoy the streams,
流奶與蜜的江河. the river flowing with honey and cream.
18 勞碌所得歸別人; What he toiled for he must give back uneaten;
營商獲利得不到. he will not enjoy the profit from his trading.
19 因他欺壓窮人使貧困, For he has oppressed the poor and left them destitute;
強奪不是他建的房屋. he has seizes houses he did not build.
20 他確未停止他的貪婪, surely he will have no respite from his craving;
而他的財富救不了他. he cannot save himself by his treasure.
21 他再也無物可供吞噬, Nothing is left for him to devour;
他的榮華富貴不長久. his peosperity will not endure.
22 在豐裕之中災禍臨頭; In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him;
陷入全面悲慘的境地. the full force of misery will come upon him.
23 當他吃得腦滿腸肥時, When he has filled his belly,
神的烈怒向他大發作, God will vent his burning anger against him
有如暴雨猛烈擊打他. and rain down his blows upon him.
24 他雖逃過了鐵造武器, Though he flees from an iron weapon,
但銅頭利箭卻射穿他. a bronze-tipped arrow pierces him.
25 他把箭從他背後拔出, He pulls it out of his back,
閃亮箭頭從肝中拉出. the gleaming point out of his liver.
恐怖氣氛籠罩他全身; Terrors will come over him;
26 漆黑正等著他的財寶. total darkness lies in wait for his treasure.
未扇之火竟把他燒滅, A fire unfanned will consume him
吞沒了他帳棚中一切. and devour what is left in his tent.
27 諸天會揭發他的罪惡, The heavens will expose his guilt;
大地也要奮起攻擊他. the earth will rise up against him.
28 神怒之日洪水來襲; A flood will carry off his house,
洪流沖毀他的房舍. rusting waters on the day of God's wrath.
29 是乃神定惡人命運, Such is the fate God allots the wicked,
指定給他們的結局." the heritage appointed for them by God."
(VI) 約伯辯駁(21:1-34):
1 約伯答辯, 歌曰:
1. 據理反駁(21:1-6):
2 請仔細聽我的話, "Listen carefully to my words;
算是你們安慰我. let this be the consolation you give me.
3 我說話時請包容, Bear with me while I speak,
待我說完再嘲笑. and after I have spoken, mock on.
4 我是向人抱怨嗎? Is my complaint directed to man?
我為何會不耐煩? Why should I be impatient?
5 看著我定會驚奇; Look at me and be astonished;
你們用手摀著口. clap your hand over your mouth.
6 一想到此心驚慌, When I think about this, I am terrified;
全身發抖停不住. trembling seizes my body.
2. 惡人得福(21:7-16):
7 惡人為何能活著, Why do the wicked live on,
而且長壽勢日隆? growing old and increasing in power?
8 兒女滿堂繞膝下, They are their children established around them,
子孫繁衍在眼前. their offspring before their eyes.
9 家室平安無所懼, Their homes are safe and free from fear;
神杖不落他們身. the rod of God is not upon them.
10 公牛交配不落空, Their bulls never fail to breed;
母牛懷胎不流產. their cows calve and do not miscarry.
11 兒女滿堂如羊群, They send forth their children as a flock;
孩童四處歡樂舞. their little ones dance about.
12 擊鼓彈琴齊歡唱, They sing to the music of tambourine and harp;
悠揚簫聲怡人心. they make merry to the sound of the flute.
13 繁榮興旺終年歲, They spend their years in prosperity
平安寧靜下歸陰. and go down to the grave in peace.
14 但他們對神說: '不要管我! Yet they say to God, 'Leave us alone!
我們不想知你道. We have no desire to know your ways.
15 誰是全能者, 要我們服事他? Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him?
向衪禱告有何益? What would we gain by praying to him?'
16 興盛不在他們手, But their prosperity is not in their own hands,
故我遠離惡人會. so I stand aloof from the counsel of the wicked.
3. 惡人報應(21:17-21):
17 惡人燈何嘗熄滅? Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out?
神何嘗在忿怒中 How often does calamity come upon him,
降災難懲罰惡人? the fate God allots in his anger?
18 惡人何嘗像風前草, How often are they like straw before the wind,
和強風吹散的糠秕? like chaff sweep away by a gale?
19 故有云, '神為惡人兒女積刑罰.' It is said, 'God stores up a man's punishment for his sons.'
神報應他本人使他明白! Let him repay the man himself, so that he will know it!
20 讓他親眼目睹自己毀滅, Let his own eyes see his destruction;
以及喝下全能者的烈怒. let him drink of the wrath of the All Mighty.
21 當他命定的歲月行將盡, For what does he care about the family he leaves behind,
他還能看顧留下的家嗎? when his allotted months come to an end?
4. 惡人下場(21:22-34):
22 神既審判最高位者, Can anyone teach knowledge to God,
還需人灌輸知識嗎? since he judges even the highest?
23 有人死時精力充沛, One man dies in full vigor,
一生享盡平靜安逸, completely secure and at ease,
24 營養充足身體壯健, his body well nourished,
骨骼充滿滋補骨髓; his bones rich with marrow.
25 有人死時心靈痛苦, Another man dies in bitterness of soul,
一生從未享受美福. never having enjoyed anything good.
26 兩種人一起臥塵土, Side by side they lie in the dust,
屍蟲爬滿他們全身. and worns over them both.
27 我深知你們的心思, I know full well what you are thinking,
和陷我不義的計謀. the schemes by which you would wrong me.
28 你們說, '偉人的豪宅 You say, 'Where now is the great man's house,
和惡人的帳棚今何在?' the tents where wicked men lived?'
29 你們沒問過往客旅嗎? Have you never questioned those who travel?
沒有關注他們的說法, Have you paid no regard to their accounts -
30 惡人在災難之日能逃過, that the evil man is spared from the day of calamity,
在神忿怒之時能得拯救? that he is delivered from the day of wrath?
31 誰當面斥責他的行為? Who denounces his conduct to his face?
誰對他的行為報應他? Who repays him for what he has done?
32 然而有人抬他入墳墓, He is carried to the grave,
而且有人為他守墳塋. and watch is kept over his tomb.
33 谷中泥土對他至甘美; The soil in the valley is sweet to him;
所有的人都尾隨其後; all men follow after him.
無數的人走在他前面. and a countless throng goes before him.
34 胡言亂語怎能安慰我? So how can you console me with your nonsense?
你們的答辯只是虛言!" Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!"
IV. 第三次辯論(22:1-26:14):
(I) 以利法答唱(22:1-30):
1 提縵人以利法以歌答唱:
1. 對神何益(22:1-3):
2 "世人對神有何益處? "Can a man be of benefit to God?
智者對祂又有何益? Can even a wise man benefit him?
3 你若是為人公義, What pleasure would it give the Almighty
就能討神喜悅嗎? if you were righteous?
你若是完美無瑕, What would he gain
衪能得到甚麼呢? if your way were blameless?
2. 作惡報應(22:4-11):
4 衪是因為你的敬虔, Is it for your piety that he rebukes you
而責備和指控你嗎? and bring charges against you?
5 是否因你罪大惡極? Is not your wickedness great?
是否因你罪惡無窮? Are not your sins endless?
6 你無故向你的弟兄 You demanded security
要求他們提供擔保; from your brothers for no reason;
你剝去人們的衣服, You stripped men of their clothing,
使得他們赤身露體. leaving them naked.
7 你不給乾渴人水喝, You gave no water to the weary
也不給饑餓人飯吃. and you withheld food from the hungry,
8 你雖有權勢擁土地, though you were powerful man, owning land -
居住其上的尊貴人. an honored man, living on it.
9 而你使寡婦空手走, And you send widows away empty handed
又讓孤兒軟弱無力. and broke the strength of the fatherless.
10 因此網羅環你四周, That is why snares are all around you,
突來危害令你驚惶, why sudden peril terrifies you,
11 漆黑使你眼不能見, why it is so dark you cannot see,
洪流讓你淹滅沒頂. and why a flood of water covers you.
3. 惡人必滅(22:12-20):
12 神不是高在諸天嗎? Is not God in the heights of heaven?
看高天眾星何其高! And see how lofty are the highest stars!
13 而你說, '神知道甚麼? Yet you say, 'What does God know?
祂是否在黑暗中審判? Does he judge through such darkness?
14 他蒙上了雲彩的面紗, Thick clouds veil him, so he does not see us
雲遊穹蒼看不見我們.' as he goes about in the vaulted heavens.'
15 你是否還要繼續行走 Will you keep to the old path
惡人以前行過的古道? that evil men have trod?
16 他們日子未到被帶走, They were carried off before their time,
根基全被洪水沖流去. Their foundations washed away by a flood.
17 他們對神說: '不要管我們! They said to God, 'Leave us alone!
全能者能奈我們何?' What can the Almighty do to us?'
18 而衪卻用美物充滿他們家, Yet it was he who filled their houses with good things,
所以我遠遠離開惡人聚會. so I stand aloof from the counsel of the wicked.
19 義人見他們毀滅心歡喜, The righteous see their ruin and rejoice;
清白之人則嘲笑他們說: the inocent mock them, saying,
20 "我們的仇敵的確全毀滅, Surely our foes are destroyed,
烈火又燒盡他們的財富." and fire devours their wealth.'
4. 與神和好(22:21-30):
21 要順服神與神和好, Submit to God and be at peace with him,
你定必會繁榮昌盛; in the way prosperity will come to you;
22 領受衪的親口教誨, Accept instruction from his mouth
把他的話牢記心裏. and lay up his words in your heart.
23 你若歸向全能者定必興旺; If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored;
你若把惡人趕出你的帳棚, If you remove wickedness far from your tent
24 並把金塊都埋入在塵土中, and assign your nuggets to the dust,
將俄斐精金丟入河谷岩石, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,
25 全能者就成你的精金 then the Almighty will be your gold,
和上等純銀. the choices silver for you.
26 這樣你必喜歡全能者 Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty
仰望耶和華. and will lift up your face to God.
27 你向衪禱告衪會垂聽; You will pray to him, and he will hear you,
你也會還願. and you will fulfill your vows.
28 你的決定必成全, What you decide on will be done,
明光照耀你的路. and light will shine on your ways.
29 人降卑時你會說, When men are brought low and you say,
把他們提升!' Lift them up!'
衪就會拯救沉淪的人. then he will save the downcast.
30 甚至也救有過犯的人 , He will deliver even one who is not innocent,
用你潔淨的手救他們 who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands."
(II) 約伯辯駁(23:1-24:25):
1 約伯答辯, 歌曰:
1. 尋不見神(23:1-10):
2 即使今天我仍申訴苦情, Even today my complaint is bitter;
儘管我呻吟他仍下重手. his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3 但願我知何處去找衪, If only I knew where to find him;
而且能去到祂的居所! if only I could go to his dwelling!
4 我就會向衪申訴冤情, I would state my case to him
且盡力開口跟祂爭辯. and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 我會去尋求衪的回答, I would find out what he would answer me,
並了解祂要說甚麼話. and consider what he would say.
6 衪會全力來對付我嗎? Would he oppose me with great power?
不, 祂不會強力指控我. No, he would not press charges against me.
7 正直的人得以向他陳情, There an upright man could present his case before him,
審判官使我得永遠拯救. and I would be delivered forever from my judge.
8 若我往東祂不在那裏; But if I go to the east, he is not there;
若我往西也找不到祂. if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 衪在北方工作我看不見祂; When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
衪轉往南方我也看不見祂. when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
10 但衪－定知道我行走的路, But he knows the way that I take;
經祂試煉我像精金見到衪. when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
2. 從未背道(23:11-17):
11 我的腳緊隨祂的腳步, My feet have closely followed his steps;
我謹守祂的道不偏離. I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12 我不離棄衪口中誡命; I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
而且珍視祂口中言語, I have treasured the words of his mouth
更勝過我的日用飲食. more than my daily bread.
13 衪堅持立場誰能反對? But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
衪隨自己的旨意而行. He does whatever he pleases.
14 衪以衪的律例指控我, He carries out his decree against me,
此外他還有很多手段. and many such plans he still has in store.
15 這是我在祂面前恐懼的原因; That is why I am terrified before him;
言念及此我敬畏祂. when I think of all this, I fear him.
16 神真使我心灰意冷, God has made my heart faint;
全能者更令我懼怕. the Almighty has terrified me.
17 儘管漆黑遮掩我面, Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,
我絕不因黑暗閉口. by the thick darkness that covers my face.
3. 惡人作惡(24:1-25):
1 為甚麼全能者 Why does the Almighty
不定審判時間? not set times for judgment?
為何認識祂的 Why must those who know him
都看不見那日? look in vain for such days?
2 惡人膽大移地界, Men move boundary stones;
放牧偷來的羊群．. they pasture flocks they have stolen.
3 趕走孤兒的母驢, They drive away the orphan's donkey
寡婦公牛作抵押. and take the widow's ox in pledge.
4 窮人被逐離大道, They thrust the needy from the path
貧民被逼都躲藏. and force all the poor of the land into hiding.
5 活像曠野的驢子, Like wild donkeys in the desert,
窮人四處覓食物; the poor go about their labor of foraging food;
荒野供食養兒女. the wasteland provides food for their children.
6 田野收割牧草料, They gather fodder in the fields
惡人園中收殘葡. and glean in the vineyards of the wicked.
7 無衣蔽體夜裸露, Lacking clothes, they spend the night naked;
無遮無蓋度寒冬. they leave nothing to cover themselves in the cold.
8 山雨傾盆周身濕, They are drenched by mountain rains
無處安身緊抱石. and hug the rocks for lack of shelter.
9 慈母乳前奪孤兒, The fatherless child is snatched from the breast;
窮人嬰兒來抵債. the infant of the poor is seized for a debt.
10 赤身露體四處走, Lacking clothes, they go about naked;
雖抱禾捆仍饑餓. they carry the sheaves, but still go hungry.
11 田間壓搾橄欖油, They crush olives among the terrance;
踩葡釀酒仍乾渴. they tread the winepresses, yet suffer thirst.
12 城民將死苦呻吟, The groans of the dying rise from the city,
受傷心靈哀呼求. and the souls of the wounded cry out for help.
神卻不究惡人行. But God changes no one with wrongdoing.
13 又有人以光為敵, There are those who rebel against the light,
不知留在光明道. who do not know its way or stay in its paths.
14 落日西沉凶手起, When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up
殺害窮人與貧困; and kills the poor and needy;
黑夜作賊忙偷竊. i n the night he steals forth like a thief.
15 姦夫張目盼黃昏, The eyes of the adulterer watches for dusk;
自以無人看見他. he thinks, 'No eye will see me,'
賊子膽大把面蒙, and he keeps his face concealed.
16 月黑風高破門入, In the dark, men break into houses,
白日明亮躲起來, but by day they shut thenselves in;
膽怯心驚怕見光. they want nothing to do with the light.
17 惡人黑夜當清晨, For all of them, deep darkness is their morning;
漆黑恐怖作摯友. they make friends with the terrors of darkness.
18 惡人如泡浮水面, Yet they are foam on the surface of the water;
分地所得受咒詛, their portion of the land is cursed,
無人再入葡萄園. so that no one goes to the vineyards.
19 苦旱天熱融化雪, As heat and drought snatches away the melted snow,
一如陰間拘罪人. so the grave snatches away those who have sinned.
20 懷他母胎不認他, The womb forgets them,
蛆蟲以他為美宴; the worm feast on them;
惡人折斷如林木, evil men are no longer remembered
世上無人記得他. but are broken like a tree.
21 一意惡待不孕婦, They prey on the barren and childless woman,
糟蹋寡婦不留情. and to the widow show no kindness.
22 神以大能除強暴; But God drags away the mighty by his power;
惡人在世雖橫行, though they become established,
但其生命難確保. they have no assurance of life.
23 神雖容他感安穩, He may let them rest in a feeling of security,
雙目緊盯不放鬆. but his eyes are on their ways.
24 祂容惡人暫高舉, For a little while they are exalted,
片刻之間全消失; and then they are gone;
又被降卑如他人, they are bought low and gathered up like all others;
一如禾稻被收割. they are cut off like heads of grain.
25 以上所言若非真, If this is not so,
誰能證明我說假; who can prove me false;
都是空言不當真." and reduce my words to nothing?"
(III) 比勒達答唱(25:1-6):
1 書亞人比勒達答唱, 歌曰:
2 "主權威嚴均屬神, "Dominion and awe belong to God;
衪在高天定秩序. he establishes order in the height of heaven.
3 衪的天軍誰能數? Can his forces be numbered?
衪的亮光不照誰? Upon whom does his light not rise?
4 神前誰能成義人? How then can a man be righteous before God?
婦人所生怎純淨? How can one born of woman be pure?
5 即使皎月不明亮, If even the moon is not bright
星宿也都不潔淨. and the stars are not pure in his eyes,
6 何況如蛆世間人- how much less man, who is but a maggot -
人子不過像條蟲!" a son of man, who is only a worm!"
(IV) 約伯辯駁(26:1-14):
1 約伯答辯, 歌曰:
1. 譏笑問者(26:1-4):
2 你如何幫助無權勢者? "How you have helped the powerless!
如何拯救臂膀無力者? How you have saved the arm that is feeble!
3 你如何教導沒智慧者! What advice you have offered to one without wisdom!
展現你有多大的智慧! And what great insight you have displayed!
4 誰助你發出這些言語? Who has helped you utter these words?
誰的靈藉你的口說話? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?
2. 讚神偉大(26:5-14):
5 身在水底的陰魂, The dead are in deep anguish,
深陷痛苦不堪言. those beneath the waters and all that live in them.
6 神前陰魂都赤裸 Death is naked before God;
毀滅裸露無遮掩. Destruction lies uncovered.
7 衪在穹蒼展北天, He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
大地高懸在太空. he suspends the earth over nothing.
8 以雲包水密不漏, He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
水重不使雲破裂. yet the clouds do not brust under their weight.
9 衪遮蓋滿月表面, He covers the face of the full moon,
以彩雲遮掩其上. spreading his clouds over it.
10 衪劃定水的平面, He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
分開光明與黑暗. for a boundary between light and darkness.
11 衪一忿怒嚴斥責, The pillars of the heavens quake,
高天巨柱猛動搖. aghast at his rebuke.
12 他顯大能攪大海, By his power he churned up the sea;
智慧粉碎拉哈伯. by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
13 衪吹口氣天睛朗; By his breath the skies became fair;
以手刺透滑行蟒. his hand peirced the gliding serpent.
14 這只是祂大工的表面, And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
我們聽到他言多微弱! how faint the whisper we hear of him!
誰能參透他大能雷聲? Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"
V. 約伯結論(27:1-23):
1 約伯繼續講論並作結, 唱曰:
(I) 行義不渝(27:1-6):
2 永活神奪我公平正義, As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice,
全能者令我靈裏痛苦. the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul.
3 只要我裏面還有生命, as long as I have life within me,
鼻孔中還有神賜氣息, the breath of God in my nostrils,
4 我就口不說邪惡的話, my lips will not speak wickedness,
我的舌不出詭詐之言. and my tongue will utter no deceit.
5 我不承認你們是對的, I will never admit you are in the right;
到死不否定我的人格. till I die, I will not deny my integrity.
6 我永遠堅持我的公義, I will maimtain my righteousness and never let go of it;
有生之年對得起良心. my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.
(II) 不虔無望(27:7-23):
7 願我的敵人如邪惡之人, May my enemies be like the wicked,
願我的仇家像不義之徒! my adversaries like the unjust!
8 神剪除不虔之徒奪其命, For what hope has the godless when he is cut off,
他們在世還有甚麼指望? when God takes away his life?
9 每當災難臨到他的時候, Does God listen to his cry
神還會垂聽他的哀求嗎? when distress comes upon him?
10 他會從全能者得歡樂嗎? Will he find delight in the Almighty?
還能時時刻刻呼求神嗎? will he call upon God at all times?
11 我要教導你們神的大能, I will teach you about the power of God;
不會去隱瞞全能者的道. the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal.
12 你們全都親眼目睹過, You have all seen this yourselves,
為何還說這些無謂話? Why then this meaningless talk?
13 這是神定惡人的命運, Here is the fate God allots to the wicked,
全能者給暴徒的報應: the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty:
14 他許多兒女命喪刀下, However many his children, their fate is the sword;
子孫也永遠都吃不飽. his offspring will never have enough to eat.
15 瘟疫會埋葬他的後人, The plague will bury those who survive him,
他們的寡婦欲哭無淚. and their widows wil not weep for them.
16 雖他堆積白銀如塵沙, Though he heaps up silver like dust
華麗衣裝堆積如泥土; and clothes like piles of clay,
17 任由義人來穿著, What he lays up the righteous will wear,
隨便善人來分銀. and the innocent will divide his silver.
18 他建的屋如蛾繭, The house he builds is like a moth's cocoon,
又如守衛瞭望寮. like a hut made by a watchman.
19 他躺下富有不再, He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more;
張眼財富全消失. when he opens his eyes, all is gone.
20 恐怖如洪來襲他, Terrors overtake him like a flood;
暴風深夜颳走他. a tempest snatches him away in the night.
21 東風吹走他無蹤, The east wind carries him off, and he is gone;
將他從原地掃出. it sweeps him out of his place.
22 毫不留情傷害他, It hurts itself against him without mercy
迎頭頂力急奔逃. as he fleets headlong from its power.
23 嘲笑聲中人拍手, It claps its hands in derision
唏噓之聲趕他走. and hisses him out of his place.