Job 23

1 Respondió Job y dijo:

Then Job answered,

2 Cierto que hoy es amarga mi queja; pero más grande que ella es mi carga.

“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

3 ¡Oh, quién me diera a conocer dónde hallarle a Él! Me llegaría hasta su trono,

Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

4 expondría delante de Él mi causa, y llenaría mi boca de argumentos.

I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 Quisiera saber las palabras que Él me respondería, y entender sus razones.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

6 ¿Acaso me opondría Él su gran poder? ¡No! Seguro que me atendería.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

7 Entonces el justo disputaría con Él; para siempre quedaría yo absuelto por el que me juzga.

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

8 Pero si voy al oriente, no está allí, si hacia el occidente, no le diviso,

“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

9 si me vuelvo al norte, no le descubro, si hacia el mediodía, tampoco le veo.

He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

10 Él, empero, conoce el camino que sigo. Que me pruebe; yo saldré como el oro.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

11 Mi pie siguió siempre sus pasos, guardé siempre su camino sin desviarme en nada.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

12 No me he apartado del mandamiento de sus labios, más que mis necesidades personales he atendido las palabras de su boca.

I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13 Pero Él no cambia de opinión; ¿quién podrá disuadirle? Lo que le place, eso lo hace,

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

14 ÉL cumplirá lo decretado sobre mí; y aún tiene planeadas muchas cosas semejantes.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

15 Por eso estoy turbado ante Él; cuando pienso en ello, me sobreviene temor.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 Dios ha aterrado mi corazón, el Omnipotente me ha conturbado.

For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

17 Porque lo que me consume no es la tiniebla, ni la oscuridad que me cubre el rostro.”

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.