Job 23

1 Job contestó:

And Job made answer and said,

2 “De todos modos, mis quejas hoy siguen siendo amargas. A pesar de mis gemidos, me sigue castigando.

Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

3 Si supiera dónde puedo encontrarlo para ir a donde se sienta a juzgar.

If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

4 Allí expondría mi caso ante él y presentaría todos mis argumentos en su totalidad.

I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

5 Descubriría cómo me respondería y aprendería lo que tiene que decirme.

I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

6 ¿Lucharía contra mí usando su poderosa fuerza? No, prestaría atención a lo que tengo que decir.

Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

7 Allí una buena persona podría razonar con él, y yo sería absuelto para siempre por mi juez.

There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

8 Si voy al este, él no está; si voy al oeste, no lo encuentro.

See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

9 Si está trabajando en el norte, no lo distingo; si va al sur, no lo veo.

I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

10 “Sin embargo, él siempre sabe a dónde voy. Cuando me haya probado, saldré brillante como el oro.

For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

11 Me he mantenido al paso con él; he seguido su camino sin desviarme.

My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

12 No he descuidado sus mandatos, porque valoro más lo que me ha ordenado que el alimento que como cada día.

I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

13 “Pero Dios es inmutable: ¿quién puede desviarlo de sus propósitos? Él hace todo lo que quiere hacer.

But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

14 Así que terminará lo que ha planeado para mí, y tiene muchos planes para mí.

For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

15 Por eso me aterra encontrarme con él; cuando pienso en él tiemblo de miedo.

For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

16 Dios me ha hecho desfallecer; el Todopoderoso me ha hecho morir de miedo.

For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

17 Sin embargo, sigo aquí a pesar de la oscuridad, aunque no pueda ver a través de la oscuridad total”.

For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.