Job 22
1 Entonces Elifaz, el temanita, respondió,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 “¿Puede un hombre ser útil a Dios? Ciertamente, el que es sabio se beneficia a sí mismo.
Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.
3 ¿Acaso es un placer para el Todopoderoso que seas justo? ¿O es que le beneficia que hagas tus caminos perfectos?
Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?
4 ¿Es por tu piedad que te reprende, que entre con vosotros en el juicio?
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 ¿No es grande tu maldad? Tampoco tienen fin sus iniquidades.
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 Porque has tomado prendas de tu hermano a cambio de nada, y despojaron a los desnudos de sus ropas.
For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it.
7 No has dado de beber agua al cansado, y has negado el pan al hambriento.
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 Pero en cuanto al hombre poderoso, tenía la tierra. El hombre honorable, vivía en él.
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 Has despedido a las viudas con las manos vacías, y los brazos de los huérfanos se han roto.
You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 Por lo tanto, las trampas están a tu alrededor. El miedo repentino te inquieta,
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 o la oscuridad, para que no puedas ver, y las inundaciones de las aguas te cubren.
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 “¿No está Dios en las alturas del cielo? Mira la altura de las estrellas, ¡qué altas son!
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 Tú dices: “¿Qué sabe Dios? ¿Puede juzgar a través de la espesa oscuridad?
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 Las densas nubes le cubren, para que no vea. Camina sobre la bóveda del cielo”.
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 ¿Mantendrás el viejo camino, que los hombres malvados han pisado,
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 que fueron arrebatados antes de tiempo, cuyo fundamento se derramó como un arroyo,
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 que dijo a Dios: “¡Aléjate de nosotros! y, “¿Qué puede hacer el Todopoderoso por nosotros?
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 Sin embargo, llenó sus casas de cosas buenas, pero el consejo de los malvados está lejos de mí.
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 Los justos lo ven y se alegran. Los inocentes los ridiculizan,
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 diciendo: “Ciertamente, los que se levantaron contra nosotros han sido eliminados. El fuego ha consumido su remanente”.
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 “Conócelo ahora y quédate tranquilo. Por ello, el bien te llegará.
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 Por favor, recibe la instrucción de su boca, y guarda sus palabras en tu corazón.
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 Si vuelves al Todopoderoso, serás edificado, si apartáis la injusticia lejos de vuestras tiendas.
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 Deja tu tesoro en el polvo, el oro de Ofir entre las piedras de los arroyos.
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 El Todopoderoso será tu tesoro, y plata preciosa para ti.
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 Porque entonces te deleitarás en el Todopoderoso, y levantarás tu rostro hacia Dios.
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 Le harás tu oración, y él te escuchará. Pagarás tus votos.
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 También decretarás una cosa, y te será establecida. La luz brillará en tus caminos.
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 Cuando se abatan, dirás: “levántate”. Él salvará a la persona humilde.
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 Élincluso entregará al que no es inocente. Sí, será liberado por la limpieza de tus manos”.
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
