1 Then Job made answer and said,
2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.
14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
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?
16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
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?
18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
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!
20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
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.
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?
1 约伯回答说:
2 "你们要细听我的言语, 这就算是你们给我的安慰。
3 请原谅我, 我又要说话了, 说完以后, 就任凭你们嘲笑吧!
4 我岂是抱怨的人呢?我的心为什么不能忍耐呢?
5 你们注视我, 惊讶吧, 用手掩口吧。
6 我每逢想起, 就惊惶, 浑身战抖。
7 恶人为什么总可以存活, 活到老, 而且财势强大?
8 他们的后裔在他们面前坚定, 他们眼见自己的子孙在他们周围立定。
9 他们的家宅平安无惧, 神的刑杖也不加在他们身上。
10 他们的公牛交配而不落种, 他们的母牛下犊而不掉胎,
11 他们叫小孩子出去多如羊群, 他们的年轻人四处跳跃;
12 他们跟着琴鼓高歌, 又因着箫的声音欢乐。
13 他们幸福度过他们的日子, 一剎那间下阴间, 毫无病痛。
14 然而他们对 神说: ‘离开我们吧, 我们不愿意晓得你的道路。
15 全能者是谁, 竟要我们服事他呢?我们若向他恳求, 有什么益处呢?’
16 他们的福乐岂不是掌握在他们的手中?恶人的谋算离我很远。
17 恶人的灯何尝熄灭?灾难何尝临到他们身上?神何尝在忿怒中把痛苦分给他们!
18 他们何尝像风前的干草, 何尝像暴风刮去的糠秕?
19 你们说: ‘ 神为恶人的儿女积蓄罪孽’, 我却说: ‘ 神报应他本人, 好叫他自己明白。’
20 愿他亲眼看见自己败落, 愿他喝全能者的烈怒。
21 他的岁月既然断绝, 他还会看顾自己身后的家吗?
22 神既然审判那些在高位的, 谁能把什么知识教给他呢?
23 有人到死的时候仍然气力充足, 享尽平静与安逸;
24 他的奶桶充满鲜奶, 他的骨髓滋润。
25 有人到死的时候心里痛苦, 一生未尝美食;
26 他们都一起躺在尘土中, 虫子爬满他们身上。
27 我知道你们的心思, 与你们恶待我的计谋。
28 你们问: ‘霸王的房屋在哪里?恶人住过的帐棚在哪里?’
29 你们没有问问过路的人吗?不承认他们所提的证据吗?
30 就是恶人在灾难的日子得存留, 在 神发怒的时候得逃脱。
31 他所行的, 有谁敢当面指责他呢?他所作的, 有谁能报应他呢?
32 然而他被人抬到坟墓里, 并且有人看守他的墓地。
33 他以谷中的土块为甘甜, 所有的人跟在他后面, 走在他前面的不计其数。
34 你们的回话既然只存虚假, 怎样徒然安慰我呢?"