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.

Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.

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

Oh that I knew where I might find Him, 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 order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.

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

Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

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

There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.

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

Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

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

On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

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

For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

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

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

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

But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

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

For He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.

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

Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

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

Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.