Job 29

1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,*29.1 continued: Heb. added to take up 2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; 3 When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;*29.3 candle: or, lamp 4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; 5 When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; 6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;*29.6 me: Heb. with me

7 When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! 8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 9 The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. 10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.*29.10 The nobles…: Heb. The voice of the nobles was hid 11 When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: 12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. 17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.*29.17 the jaws: Heb. the jawteeth, or, the grinders*29.17 plucked: Heb. cast

18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand. 19 My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.*29.19 spread…: Heb. opened 20 My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.*29.20 fresh: Heb. new*29.20 renewed: Heb. changed 21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. 23 And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain. 24 If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down. 25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

约伯缅怀过往的幸福

1 约伯继续他的讲论，说：

2 "但愿我的景况像以前的岁月，

像　神保守我的日子。

3 那时他的灯照在我的头上，

我靠着他的光行过黑暗。

4 但愿我仍然活在年轻力壮的日子，

那时　神在我的帐棚里与我亲密。

5 全能者仍然与我同在，

我的孩子都环绕我。

6 我用油洗脚，

盘石为我出油成河。

7 我出到城门那里去，

在广场上预备我的座位。

8 年轻人看见我，就回避，

年老的也起身站立。

9 王子都停止说话，

并且用手掩口。

10 众领袖都不敢作声，

他们的舌头紧贴上颚。

11 耳朵听见我的，就称我有福。

眼睛看见我的，就作证称赞我。

12 因为我救了呼救的穷人，

和无人帮助的孤儿。

13 将要灭亡的，为我祝福；

我使寡妇的心欢呼。

14 我以公义作衣服穿上；

我的公平好象外袍和冠冕。

15 我作了瞎子的眼，

瘸子的腿。

16 我作过贫穷人的父亲，

我查究过我素来不认识的人的案件。

17 我打碎了不义的人的牙齿，

使捕食的掉下来。

18 那时我心里想：‘我必在家中安然去世，

我必增添我的日子像沙尘那么多。

19 我的根蔓延到水边，

露水整夜沾在我的枝上。

20 我的荣耀在身上常新，

我的弓在我手上重新得力。

21 大家都聆听我，等候我；

静默无声地领受我的指导。

22 我说了话以后，他们就不再说，

我的言语像雨露一般滴在他们身上。

23 他们等候我像等候雨水，

又大大张嘴如切慕春雨。

24 我向他们微笑，他们也不敢相信；

他们珍惜我脸上的光。

25 我为他们选择道路，又坐首位；

我像君王住在军队中，

又像个安慰悲伤的人。’"