Job 23

1 Entonces Job respondió,

Then Job answered and said,

2 “Incluso hoy mi queja es rebelde. Su mano pesa a pesar de mis gemidos.

Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.

3 ¡Oh, si supiera dónde puedo encontrarlo! ¡Que pueda llegar incluso a su asiento!

Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?

4 Yo pondría mi causa en orden ante él, y llenarme la boca de argumentos.

And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.

5 Yo sabría las palabras que él me respondería, y entender lo que me decía.

And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.

6 ¿Acaso quiere enfrentarse a mí con la grandeza de su poder? No, pero me escucharía.

Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;

7 Allí los rectos podrían razonar con él, para que sea liberado para siempre de mi juez.

for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.

8 “Si voy al este, no está allí. Si voy al oeste, no puedo encontrarlo.

For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?

9 Trabaja hacia el norte, pero no lo veo. Se gira hacia el sur, pero no consigo verle.

When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].

10 Pero él conoce el camino que tomo. Cuando me haya probado, saldré como el oro.

For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.

11 Mi pie se ha mantenido firme a sus pasos. He mantenido su camino, y no me he apartado.

And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,

12 No me he apartado del mandamiento de sus labios. He atesorado las palabras de su boca más que mi comida necesaria.

neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.

13 Pero él está solo, ¿y quién puede oponerse a él? Lo que su alma desea, incluso eso hace.

And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.

14 Porque él realiza lo que me ha sido asignado. Muchas cosas así están con él.

15 Por eso me aterra su presencia. Cuando lo considero, me da miedo.

Therefore am I troubled at him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.

16 Porque Dios ha hecho desfallecer mi corazón. El Todopoderoso me ha aterrorizado.

But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.

17 Porque no fui cortado antes de la oscuridad, tampoco cubrió la espesa oscuridad de mi cara.

For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.