Job 23

1 Entonces Job respondió,

Then Job answered,

2 “Incluso hoy mi queja es rebelde. Su mano pesa a pesar de mis gemidos.

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

3 ¡Oh, si supiera dónde puedo encontrarlo! ¡Que pueda llegar incluso a su asiento!

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

4 Yo pondría mi causa en orden ante él, y llenarme la boca de argumentos.

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

5 Yo sabría las palabras que él me respondería, y entender lo que me decía.

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

6 ¿Acaso quiere enfrentarse a mí con la grandeza de su poder? No, pero me escucharía.

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

7 Allí los rectos podrían razonar con él, para que sea liberado para siempre de mi juez.

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

8 “Si voy al este, no está allí. Si voy al oeste, no puedo encontrarlo.

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

9 Trabaja hacia el norte, pero no lo veo. Se gira hacia el sur, pero no consigo verle.

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

10 Pero él conoce el camino que tomo. Cuando me haya probado, 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 se ha mantenido firme a sus pasos. He mantenido su camino, y no me he apartado.

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. He atesorado las palabras de su boca más que mi comida necesaria.

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 está solo, ¿y quién puede oponerse a él? Lo que su alma desea, incluso eso hace.

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

14 Porque él realiza lo que me ha sido asignado. Muchas cosas así están con él.

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

15 Por eso me aterra su presencia. Cuando lo considero, me da miedo.

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

16 Porque Dios ha hecho desfallecer mi corazón. El Todopoderoso me ha aterrorizado.

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

17 Porque no fui cortado antes de la oscuridad, tampoco cubrió la espesa oscuridad de mi cara.

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