Job 21

约伯回答说：

But Job answered and said,

你们要细听我的言语，就算是你们安慰我。

Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

请宽容我，我又要说话；说了以后，任凭你们嗤笑吧！

Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

我岂是向人诉冤？为何不焦急呢？

As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

你们要看著我而惊奇，用手摀口。

Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

我每逢思想，心就惊惶，浑身战兢。

Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

恶人为何存活，享大寿数，势力强盛呢？

Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

他们眼见儿孙，和他们一同坚立。

Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

他们的家宅平安无惧；　神的杖也不加在他们身上。

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

他们的公牛孳生而不断绝；母牛下犊而不掉胎。

Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

他们打发小孩子出去，多如羊群；他们的儿女踊跃跳舞。

They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

他们随著琴鼓歌唱，又因箫声欢喜。

They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

他们度日诸事亨通，转眼下入阴间。

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

他们对　神说：离开我们吧！我们不愿晓得你的道。

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

全能者是谁，我们何必事奉他呢？求告他有什么益处呢？

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

看哪，他们亨通不在乎自己；恶人所谋定的离我好远。

Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

恶人的灯何尝熄灭？患难何尝临到他们呢？　神何尝发怒，向他们分散灾祸呢？

How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

他们何尝像风前的碎秸，如暴风刮去的糠秕呢？

They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

你们说：　神为恶人的儿女积蓄罪孽；我说：不如本人受报，好使他亲自知道。

God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

愿他亲眼看见自己败亡，亲自饮全能者的忿怒。

His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

他的岁月既尽，他还顾他本家吗？

For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

　神既审判那在高位的，谁能将知识教训他呢？

Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

有人至死身体强壮，尽得平靖安逸；

One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

他的奶桶充满，他的骨髓滋润。

His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

有人至死心中痛苦，终身未尝福乐的滋味；

And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

他们一样躺卧在尘土中，都被虫子遮盖。

They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

我知道你们的意思，并诬害我的计谋。

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

你们说：霸者的房屋在哪里？恶人住过的帐棚在哪里？

For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?

你们岂没有询问过路的人吗？不知道他们所引的证据吗？

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

就是恶人在祸患的日子得存留，在发怒的日子得逃脱。

That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

他所行的，有谁当面给他说明；他所做的，有谁报应他呢？

Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

然而他要被抬到茔地；并有人看守坟墓。

Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

他要以谷中的土块为甘甜；在他以先去的无数，在他以后去的更多。

The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

你们对答的话中既都错谬，怎么徒然安慰我呢？

How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?