Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said:

Respondió Job y dijo:

2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.

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

3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

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

4 I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.

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

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

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

7 There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.

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

8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

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

9 On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

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

10 For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

11 My foot hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

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

12 I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

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

13 But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

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

14 For He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.

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

15 Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

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

16 Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;

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

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

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