Job 23

1 Job contestó:

Then Job answered, and said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 Si está trabajando en el norte, no lo distingo; si va al sur, no lo 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 “Sin embargo, él siempre sabe a dónde voy. Cuando me haya probado, saldré brillante como el oro.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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