Job 29
1 Job retomó su parábola y dijo
And Job again took up the word and said,
2 “Oh, si yo fuera como en los meses de antaño, como en los días en que Dios velaba por mí;
If only I might again be as I was in the months which are past, in the days when God was watching over me!
3 cuando su lámpara brilló sobre mi cabeza, y con su luz atravesé las tinieblas,
When his light was shining over my head, and when I went through the dark by his light.
4 como estaba en mi mejor momento, cuando la amistad de Dios estaba en mi tienda,
As I was in my flowering years, when my tent was covered by the hand of God;
5 cuando el Todopoderoso aún estaba conmigo, y mis hijos estaban a mi alrededor,
While the Ruler of all was still with me, and my children were round me;
6 cuando mis pasos fueron lavados con mantequilla, y la roca derramó chorros de aceite para mí,
When my steps were washed with milk, and rivers of oil were flowing out of the rock for me.
7 cuando salí a la puerta de la ciudad, cuando preparé mi asiento en la calle.
When I went out of my door to go up to the town, and took my seat in the public place,
8 Los jóvenes me vieron y se escondieron. Los ancianos se levantaron y se pusieron de pie.
The young men saw me, and went away, and the old men got up from their seats;
9 Los príncipes se abstuvieron de hablar, y se puso la mano en la boca.
The rulers kept quiet, and put their hands on their mouths;
10 La voz de los nobles se acalló, y su lengua se pegó al paladar.
The chiefs kept back their words, and their tongues were joined to the roofs of their mouths.
11 Porque cuando el oído me escuchó, entonces me bendijo, y cuando el ojo me vio, me elogió,
For when it came to their ears, men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness to me;
12 porque liberé a los pobres que lloraban, y también al huérfano, que no tenía quien le ayudara,
For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter.
13 la bendición del que estaba dispuesto a perecer vino sobre mí, y he hecho que el corazón de la viuda cante de alegría.
The blessing of him who was near to destruction came on me, and I put a song of joy into the widow's heart.
14 Me vestí de justicia, y me vistió. Mi justicia era como un manto y una diadema.
I put on righteousness as my clothing, and was full of it; right decisions were to me a robe and a head-dress.
15 Yo era los ojos de los ciegos, y los pies a los cojos.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking.
16 Fui padre de los necesitados. Investigué la causa de él que no conocía.
I was a father to the poor, searching out the cause of him who was strange to me.
17 Rompí las mandíbulas de los injustos y arrancó la presa de sus dientes.
By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him give up what he had violently taken away.
18 Entonces dije: “Moriré en mi propia casa, Contaré mis días como la arena.
Then I said, I will come to my end with my children round me, my days will be as the sand in number;
19 Mi raíz se extiende hasta las aguas. El rocío reposa toda la noche en mi rama.
My root will be open to the waters, and the night mist will be on my branches,
20 Mi gloria está fresca en mí. Mi arco se renueva en mi mano’.
My glory will be ever new, and my bow will be readily bent in my hand.
21 “Los hombres me escucharon, esperaron, y guardé silencio por mi consejo.
Men gave ear to me, waiting and keeping quiet for my suggestions.
22 Después de mis palabras no volvieron a hablar. Mi discurso cayó sobre ellos.
After I had said what was in my mind, they were quiet and let my words go deep into their hearts;
23 Me esperaron como a la lluvia. Sus bocas bebieron como con la lluvia de primavera.
They were waiting for me as for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains.
24 Les sonreí cuando no tenían confianza. No rechazaron la luz de mi rostro.
I was laughing at them when they had no hope, and the light of my face was never clouded by their fear.
25 elegí fuera de su camino, y me senté como jefe. Viví como un rey en el ejército, como quien consuela a los dolientes.
I took my place as a chief, guiding them on their way, and I was as a king among his army. ...
