Job 23

1 Y respondió Job, y dijo:

Then Job answered, and said:

2 Hoy también hablaré con amargura, y será más grave mi llaga que mi gemido.

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

3 ¡Quién diese que le conociese, y le hallase! yo iría hasta su trono.

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

4 Ordenaría juicio delante de él, y mi boca henchiría de argumentos.

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

5 Yo sabría lo que él me respondería, y entendería lo que me dijese.

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

6 ¿Pleitearía conmigo con multitud de fuerza? No: antes él la pondría en mí.

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

7 Allí el recto disputaría con él; y escaparía para siempre de él que me condena.

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

8 He aquí, yo iré al oriente, y no le hallaré, y al occidente, y no le entenderé.

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

9 Si al norte él obrare, yo no le veré: al mediodía se esconderá, y no le veré.

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 Mas él conoció mi camino: probóme, y salí como oro.

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

11 Mis pies tomaron su rastro: guardé su camino, y no me aparté.

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

12 Del mandamiento de sus labios nunca me quité: las palabras de su boca guardé más que mi comida.

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

13 Y si él se determina en una cosa, ¿quién le apartará? Su alma deseó, e hizo.

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

14 Por tanto él acabará lo que ha determinado de mí; y muchas cosas como estas hay en él.

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

15 Por lo cual yo me espantaré delante de su rostro: consideraré, y temerle he.

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

16 Dios ha enternecido mi corazón, y el Omnipotente me ha espantado.

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

17 ¿Por qué yo no fui cortado delante de las tinieblas, y cubrió con oscuridad mi rostro?

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