今日讀經

以利戶向約伯和三友發怒

²那時有布西人蘭族巴拉迦的兒子以利戶向約伯發怒；因約伯自以為義，不以　神為義。This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,

³他又向約伯的三個朋友發怒；因為他們想不出回答的話來，仍以約伯為有罪。and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.

⁴以利戶要與約伯說話，就等候他們，因為他們比自己年老。Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.

⁵以利戶見這三個人口中無話回答，就怒氣發作。But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.

年輕的以利戶開口

⁶布西人巴拉迦的兒子以利戶回答說：我年輕，你們老邁；因此我退讓，不敢向你們陳說我的意見。So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.

⁷我說，年老的當先說話；壽高的當以智慧教訓人。I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.

⁸但在人裡面有靈；全能者的氣使人有聰明。But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

⁹尊貴的不都有智慧；壽高的不都能明白公平。It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.

¹⁰因此我說：你們要聽我言；我也要陳說我的意見。Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’

¹¹你們查究所要說的話；那時我等候你們的話，側耳聽你們的辯論，Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,

¹²留心聽你們；誰知你們中間無一人折服約伯，駁倒他的話。I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.

¹³你們切不可說：我們尋得智慧；　神能勝他，人卻不能。So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’

¹⁴約伯沒有向我爭辯；我也不用你們的話回答他。But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

我也要回答我的一分話

¹⁵他們驚奇不再回答，一言不發。Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.

¹⁶我豈因他們不說話，站住不再回答，仍舊等候呢？Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?

¹⁷我也要回答我的一分話，陳說我的意見。I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.

¹⁸因為我的言語滿懷；我裡面的靈激動我。For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.

¹⁹我的胸懷如盛酒之囊沒有出氣之縫，又如新皮袋快要破裂。Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.

²⁰我要說話，使我舒暢；我要開口回答。I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

²¹我必不看人的情面，也不奉承人。I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.

²²我不曉得奉承；若奉承，造我的主必快快除滅我。For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.

約伯啊，請聽我的話

¹約伯啊，請聽我的話，留心聽我一切的言語。“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

²我現在開口，用舌發言。Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.

³我的言語要發明心中所存的正直；我所知道的，我嘴唇要誠實地說出。My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

⁴神的靈造我；全能者的氣使我得生。The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

⁵你若回答我，就站起來，在我面前陳明。Refute me if you can; prepare your case and confront me.

⁶我在　神面前與你一樣，也是用土造成。I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.

⁷我不用威嚴驚嚇你，也不用勢力重壓你。Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.

你說你是清潔無過的

⁸你所說的，我聽見了，也聽見你的言語，說：Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:

⁹我是清潔無過的，我是無辜的；在我裡面也沒有罪孽。‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.

¹⁰神找機會攻擊我，以我為仇敵，Yet God finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy.

¹¹把我的腳上了木狗，窺察我一切的道路。He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’

¹²我要回答你說：你這話無理，因　神比世人更大。Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

¹³你為何與他爭論呢？因他的事都不對人解說？Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

神藉夢和異象說話

¹⁴神說一次、兩次，世人卻不理會。For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.

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¹⁵人躺在床上沉睡的時候，　神就用夢和夜間的異象，In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds,

¹⁶開通他們的耳朵，將當受的教訓印在他們心上，He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings

¹⁷好叫人不從自己的謀算，不行驕傲的事（原文是將驕傲向人隱藏），to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,

¹⁸攔阻人不陷於坑裡，不死在刀下。to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword.

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神藉病痛管教人

¹⁹人在床上被懲治，骨頭中不住地疼痛，A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,

²⁰以致他的口厭棄食物，心厭惡美味。so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.

²¹他的肉消瘦，不得再見；先前不見的骨頭都凸出來。His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.

²²他的靈魂臨近深坑；他的生命近於滅命的。He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.

傳話的天使救人免下坑

²³一千天使中，若有一個作傳話的與　神同在，指示人所當行的事，Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

²⁴神就給他開恩，說：救贖他免得下坑；我已經得了贖價。to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’

²⁵他的肉要比孩童的肉更嫩；他就返老還童。then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.

²⁶他禱告　神，　神就喜悅他，使他歡呼朝見　神的面；　神又看他為義。He prays to God and finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man.

²⁷他在人前歌唱說：我犯了罪，顛倒是非，這竟與我無益。Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

²⁸神救贖我的靈魂免入深坑；我的生命也必見光。He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’

²⁹神兩次、三次向人行這一切的事，Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times,

³⁰為要從深坑救回人的靈魂，使他被光照耀，與活人一樣。to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.

你當側耳聽我

³¹約伯啊，你當側耳聽我的話，不要作聲，等我講說。Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

³²你若有話說，就可以回答我；你只管說，因我願以你為是。But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.

³³若不然，你就聽我說；你不要作聲，我便將智慧教訓你。But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”

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以利戶向智慧人說話

¹以利戶又說：Then Elihu continued:

²你們智慧人要聽我的話；有知識的人要留心聽我說。“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.

³因為耳朵試驗話語，好像上膛嘗食物。For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

⁴我們當選擇何為是，彼此知道何為善。Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

⁵約伯曾說：我是公義，　神奪去我的理；For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

⁶我雖有理，還算為說謊言的；我雖無過，受的傷還不能醫治。Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

⁷誰像約伯，喝譏誚如同喝水呢？What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

⁸他與作孽的結伴，和惡人同行。He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

⁹他說：人以　神為樂，總是無益。For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

神斷不致行惡

¹⁰所以，你們明理的人要聽我的話。　神斷不致行惡；全能者斷不致作孽。Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.

¹¹他必按人所做的報應人，使各人照所行的得報。For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.

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¹²神必不作惡；全能者也不偏離公平。Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

¹³誰派他治理地，安定全世界呢？Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?

¹⁴他若專心為己，將靈和氣收歸自己，If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

¹⁵凡有血氣的就必一同死亡；世人必仍歸塵土。all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

¹⁶你若明理，就當聽我的話，留心聽我言語的聲音。If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.

¹⁷難道恨惡公平的可以掌權嗎？那有公義的、有大能的，豈可定他有罪嗎？Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

¹⁸他對君王說：你是鄙陋的；對貴臣說：你是邪惡的。who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

¹⁹他待王子不徇情面，也不看重富足的過於貧窮的，因為都是他手所造。who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

²⁰在轉眼之間，半夜之中，他們就死亡。百姓被震動而去世；有權力的被奪去非借人手。They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

神看明人的腳步

²¹神注目觀看人的道路，看明人的腳步。For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.

²²沒有黑暗、陰翳能給作孽的藏身。There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

²³神審判人，不必使人到他面前再三鑒察。For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.

²⁴他用難測之法打破有能力的人，設立別人代替他們。He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.

²⁵他原知道他們的行為，使他們在夜間傾倒滅亡。Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

²⁶他在眾人眼前擊打他們，如同擊打惡人一樣。He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,

²⁷因為他們偏行不跟從他，也不留心他的道，because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.

²⁸甚至使貧窮人的哀聲達到他那裡；他也聽了困苦人的哀聲。They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.

²⁹他使人安靜，誰能擾亂（或譯：定罪）呢？他掩面，誰能見他呢？無論待一國或一人都是如此─But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,

³⁰使不虔敬的人不得作王，免得有人牢籠百姓。that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.

豈要隨你的心願

³¹有誰對　神說：我受了責罰，不再犯罪；Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

³²我所看不明的，求你指教我；我若作了孽，必不再作？Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

³³他施行報應，豈要隨你的心願、叫你推辭不受嗎？選定的是你，不是我。你所知道的只管說吧！Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

約伯說話沒有知識

³⁴明理的人和聽我話的智慧人必對我說：Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:

³⁵約伯說話沒有知識，言語中毫無智慧。‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’

³⁶願約伯被試驗到底，因他回答像惡人一樣。If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.

³⁷他在罪上又加悖逆；在我們中間拍手，用許多言語輕慢　神。For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

神的忿怒從天上顯明

¹⁸原來，　神的忿怒從天上顯明在一切不虔不義的人身上，就是那些行不義阻擋真理的人。The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

藉著所造之物可以曉得神

¹⁹神的事情，人所能知道的，原顯明在人心裡，因為　神已經給他們顯明。For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

²⁰自從造天地以來，　神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

不榮耀神，也不感謝神

²¹因為，他們雖然知道　神，卻不當作　神榮耀他，也不感謝他。他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

²²自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙，Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

²³將不能朽壞之　神的榮耀變為偶像，彷彿必朽壞的人和飛禽、走獸、昆蟲的樣式。and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

神任憑他們

²⁴所以，　神任憑他們逞著心裡的情慾行污穢的事，以致彼此玷辱自己的身體。Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.

²⁵他們將　神的真實變為虛謊，去敬拜事奉受造之物，不敬奉那造物的主─主乃是可稱頌的，直到永遠。阿們！They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

放縱可羞恥的情慾

²⁶因此，　神任憑他們放縱可羞恥的情慾。他們的女人把順性的用處變為逆性的用處；For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

²⁷男人也是如此，棄了女人順性的用處，慾火攻心，彼此貪戀，男和男行可羞恥的事，就在自己身上受這妄為當得的報應。Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

存邪僻的心，行不合理的事

²⁸他們既然故意不認識　神，　神就任憑他們存邪僻的心，行那些不合理的事；Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

²⁹裝滿了各樣不義、邪惡、貪婪、惡毒（或譯：陰毒）；滿心是嫉妒、凶殺、爭競、詭詐、毒恨；They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,

³⁰又是讒毀的、背後說人的、怨恨　神的（或譯：被　神所憎惡的）、侮慢人的、狂傲的、自誇的、捏造惡事的、違背父母的、slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.

³¹無知的、背約的、無親情的、不憐憫人的。They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

³²他們雖知道　神判定行這樣事的人是當死的，然而他們不但自己去行，還喜歡別人去行。Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.