約伯記 1

書卷介紹:約伯記詩歌智慧書

義人受苦時,神仍然掌權,值得人信靠。

約伯是一位敬畏神、遠離惡事的義人,卻在一天之間失去財產和兒女,接著全身長滿毒瘡。他的三個朋友認為他一定是犯了罪才會受苦,約伯堅持自己無辜,雙方展開長篇辯論。最後神親自從旋風中回答約伯,讓他看見神創造的奇妙和智慧的深廣。約伯謙卑下來,神也使他後來的光景比先前更好。

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1地有一個人名叫約伯;那人,敬畏 神,遠離惡事。There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

2他生了七個兒子,三個女兒。He had seven sons and three daughters,

3他的家產有七千羊,三千駱駝,五百對牛,五百母驢,並有許多僕婢。這人在東方人中就為至大。and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.

4他的兒子按著日子各在自己家裡設擺筵宴,就打發人去,請了他們的三個姊妹來,與他們一同吃喝。Job’s sons would take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

5筵宴的日子過了,約伯打發人去叫他們。他清早起來,按著他們眾人的數目獻燔祭;因為他說:「恐怕我兒子犯了罪,心中 神。」約伯常常這樣行。And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

6有一天, 來侍立在耶和華面前,也來在其中。One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

7耶和華問撒但說:「你從哪裡來?」撒但回答說:「我從地上走來走去,往返而來。」“Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.”

8耶和華問撒但說:「你曾用心察看我的僕人約伯沒有?地上再沒有人像他完全正直,敬畏 神,遠離惡事。」Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”

9撒但回答耶和華說:「約伯敬畏 神,豈是無故呢?Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

10你豈不是四面圈上籬笆圍護他和他的家,並他一切所有的嗎?他手所做的都蒙你賜福;他的家產也在地上增多。Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

11你且伸手毀他一切所有的;他必當面棄掉你。」But stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”

12耶和華對撒但說:「凡他所有的都在你手中;只是不可伸手加害於他。」於是撒但從耶和華面前退去。“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

13有一天,約伯的兒女正在他們長兄的家裡吃飯喝酒,One day, while Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

14有報信的來見約伯,說:「牛正耕地,驢在旁邊吃草,a messenger came and reported to Job: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,

15忽然闖來,把牲畜擄去,並用刀殺了僕人;惟有我一人逃脫,來報信給你。」the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

16他還說話的時候,又有人來說:「 神從天上降下火來,將群羊和僕人都燒滅了;惟有我一人逃脫,來報信給你。」While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

17他還說話的時候,又有人來說:「迦勒底人分作三隊忽然闖來,把駱駝擄去,並用刀殺了僕人;惟有我一人逃脫,來報信給你。」While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

18他還說話的時候,又有人來說:「你的兒女正在他們長兄的家裡吃飯喝酒,While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

19不料,有狂風從曠野颳來,擊打房屋的四角,房屋倒塌在少年人身上,他們就都死了;惟有我一人逃脫,來報信給你。」when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

20約伯便起來,撕裂外袍,剃了頭,伏在地上下拜,Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

21說:「我出於母胎,也必赤身歸回;賞賜的是耶和華,收取的也是耶和華。耶和華的名是應當稱頌的。」saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

22在這一切的事上約伯並不犯罪,也不以 神為(或譯:也不妄評 神)。In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.