Job 29
1 And Job again took up the word and said,
Entonces Job respondió:
2 If only I might again be as I was in the months which are past, in the days when God was watching over me!
Ojalá volviera a ser como en meses pasados, como en los días cuando ʼElohim me vigilaba,
3 When his light was shining over my head, and when I went through the dark by his light.
cuando su lámpara estaba sobre mi cabeza y a su luz yo caminaba en la oscuridad,
4 As I was in my flowering years, when my tent was covered by the hand of God;
aquellos días de mi vigor cuando la amistad íntima de ʼElohim velaba sobre mi vivienda,
5 While the Ruler of all was still with me, and my children were round me;
cuando ʼEL-Shadday aún estaba conmigo, y mis hijos alrededor de mí,
6 When my steps were washed with milk, and rivers of oil were flowing out of the rock for me.
cuando mis pasos eran lavados con mantequilla y la roca me derramaba ríos de aceite,
7 When I went out of my door to go up to the town, and took my seat in the public place,
cuando iba a la puerta de la ciudad y en la plaza preparaba mi asiento.
8 The young men saw me, and went away, and the old men got up from their seats;
Los jóvenes me veían y se escondían. Los ancianos se levantaban y permanecían en pie.
9 The rulers kept quiet, and put their hands on their mouths;
Los magistrados detenían sus palabras y ponían la mano sobre sus bocas.
10 The chiefs kept back their words, and their tongues were joined to the roofs of their mouths.
La voz de los nobles enmudecía y su lengua se les pegaba al paladar.
11 For when it came to their ears, men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness to me;
Los oídos que me escuchaban me llamaban bienaventurado, y los ojos que me miraban daban testimonio a mi favor.
12 For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter.
Porque yo libraba al pobre que clamaba y al huérfano que no tenía ayudador.
13 The blessing of him who was near to destruction came on me, and I put a song of joy into the widow's heart.
La bendición del que iba a perecer caía sobre mí, y daba alegría al corazón de la viuda.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing, and was full of it; right decisions were to me a robe and a head-dress.
Me vestía de rectitud y con ella me cubría. Mi justicia era como un manto y un turbante.
15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking.
Yo era ojos para el ciego y pies para el cojo.
16 I was a father to the poor, searching out the cause of him who was strange to me.
Era padre de los menesterosos. Me informaba con diligencia de la causa que no entendía.
17 By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away.
Rompía las quijadas del perverso y de sus dientes arrancaba la presa.
18 Then I said, I will come to my end with my children round me, my days will be as the sand in number;
Me decía: En mi nido moriré, y como la arena multiplicaré mis días.
19 My root will be open to the waters, and the night mist will be on my branches,
Mi raíz se extendía hacia las aguas, y el rocío pernoctaba en mi ramaje.
20 My glory will be ever new, and my bow will be readily bent in my hand.
Mi honra se renovaba en mí, y mi arco se fortalecía en mi mano.
21 Men gave ear to me, waiting and keeping quiet for my suggestions.
Me escuchaban, esperaban y guardaban silencio ante mi consejo.
22 After I had said what was in my mind, they were quiet and let my words go deep into their hearts;
Después de mi palabra no replicaban. Mi razón destilaba sobre ellos.
23 They were waiting for me as for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains.
La esperaban como a la lluvia temprana, y abrían su boca como a la lluvia tardía.
24 I was laughing at them when they had no hope, and the light of my face was never clouded by their fear.
Si me reía con ellos, no lo creían, y no tenían en menos la luz de mi semblante.
25 I took my place as a chief, guiding them on their way, and I was as a king among his army. ...
Yo les escogía el camino, y me sentaba entre ellos como su jefe. Yo vivía como un rey en medio de su tropa, como el que consuela a los que están de duelo.
