Job 23

1 Y RESPONDIÓ Job, y dijo:

Then Job answered and said,

2 Hoy también hablaré con amargura; que es más grave mi llaga que mi gemido.

Even today my complaint is rebellious. My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 ¡Quién me diera el saber dónde hallar á Dios! yo iría hasta su silla.

O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!

4 Ordenaría juicio delante de él, y henchiría mi boca de argumentos.

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

5 Yo sabría lo que él me respondería, y entendería lo que me dijese.

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

6 ¿Pleitearía conmigo con grandeza de fuerza? No: antes él la pondría en mí.

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

7 Allí el justo razonaría con él: y escaparía para siempre de mi juez.

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

8 He aquí yo iré al oriente, y no lo [hallaré]; y al occidente, y no lo percibiré:

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him,

9 Si al norte él obrare, yo no lo veré; al mediodía se esconderá, y no lo veré.

on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10 Mas él conoció mi camino: probaráme, y saldré como oro.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 Mis pies tomaron su rastro; guardé su camino, y no me aparté.

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

12 Del mandamiento de sus labios nunca me separé; guardé las palabras de su boca más que mi comida.

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.

13 Empero si él [se determina] en una cosa, ¿quién lo apartará? Su alma deseó, é hizo.

But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.

14 El pues acabará lo que ha determinado de mí: y muchas cosas como estas hay en él.

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

15 Por lo cual yo me espanto en su presencia: consideraré, y temerélo.

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

16 Dios ha enervado mi corazón, y hame turbado el Omnipotente.

For God has made my heart faint, and the Almighty has terrified me,

17 ¿Por qué no fuí yo cortado delante de las tinieblas, y cubrió con oscuridad mi rostro?

because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.