Job 29

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	SMITH VAN DYKE
1 Job took up his theme anew and said;	1 وعاد ايوب ينطق بمثله فقال
2 Oh, that I were as in the months past! as in the days when God watched over me,	2 يا ليتني كما في الشهور السالفة وكالايام التي حفظني الله فيها
3 While he kept his lamp shining above my head, and by his light I walked through darkness;	3 حين اضاء سراجه على راسي وبنوره سلكت الظلمة.
4 As I was in my flourishing days, when God sheltered my tent;	4 كما كنت في ايام خريفي ورضا الله على خيمتي
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, and my children were round about me;	5 والقدير بعد معي وحولي غلماني
6 When my footsteps were bathed in milk, and the rock flowed with streams of oil;	6 اذ غسلت خطواتي باللبن والصخر سكب لي جداول زيت
7 When I went forth to the gate of the city and set up my seat in the square-	7 حين كنت اخرج الى الباب في القرية واهيّئ في الساحة مجلسي.
8 Then the young men saw me and withdrew, while the elders rose up and stood;	8 رآني الغلمان فاختبأوا والاشياخ قاموا ووقفوا.
9 The chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;	9 العظماء امسكوا عن الكلام ووضعوا ايديهم على افواههم.
10 The voice of the princes was silenced, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.	10 صوت الشرفاء اختفى ولصقت ألسنتهم باحناكهم.
11 Whoever heard of me blessed me; those who saw me commended me.	11 لان الاذن سمعت فطوّبتني والعين رأت فشهدت لي.
12 For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, the orphans, and the unassisted;	12 لاني انقذت المسكين المستغيث واليتيم ولا معين له.
13 The blessing of those in extremity came upon me, and the heart of the widow I made joyful.	13 بركة الهالك حلت عليّ وجعلت قلب الارملة يسرّ.
14 I wore my honesty like a garment; justice was my robe and my turban.	14 لبست البر فكساني. كجبّة وعمامة كان عدلي.
15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame was I;	15 كنت عيونا للعمي وارجلا للعرج.
16 I was a father to the needy; the rights of the stranger I studied,	16 اب انا للفقراء ودعوى لم اعرفها فحصت عنها.
17 And I broke the jaws of the wicked man; from his teeth I forced the prey.	17 هشمت اضراس الظالم ومن بين اسنانه خطفت الفريسة.
18 Then I said: "In my own nest I shall grow old; I shall multiply years like the phoenix.	18 فقلت اني في وكري اسلم الروح ومثل السمندل اكثر اياما.
19 My root is spread out to the waters; the dew rests by night on my branches.	19 أصلي كان منبسطا الى المياه والطل بات على اغصاني.
20 My glory is fresh within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand!"	20 كرامتي بقيت حديثة عندي وقوسي تجددت في يدي.
21 For me they listened and waited; they were silent for my counsel.	21 لي سمعوا وانتظروا ونصتوا عند مشورتي.
22 Once I spoke, they said no more, but received my pronouncement drop by drop.	22 بعد كلامي لم يثنّوا وقولي قطر عليهم.
23 They waited for me as for the rain; they drank in my words like the spring rains.	23 وانتظروني مثل المطر وفغروا افواههم كما للمطر المتأخر.
24 When I smiled on them they were reassured;	24 ان ضحكت عليم لم يصدقوا ونور وجهي لم يعبسوا.
25 mourners took comfort from my cheerful glance. I chose out their way and presided; I took a king's place in the armed forces.	25 كنت اختار طريقهم واجلس راسا واسكن كملك في جيش كمن يعزي النائحين