Job 23

1 Respondió Job y dijo:

Then Job answered, and said:

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

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

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

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

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

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

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

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

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

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

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

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

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

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

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

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

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

I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

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

For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

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

And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

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

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

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

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

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

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.