Job 23

1 Y respondió Job, y dijo:

Then Job answered and said,

2 Hoy también hablaré con amargura; que es más grave mi llaga que mi gemido.

Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 ¡Quién me diera el saber dónde hallar a Dios! Yo iría hasta su silla.

Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

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

I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

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

I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.

6 ¿Por ventura pleitearía conmigo con grandeza de fuerza? No; antes él la pondría en mí.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

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

There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

8 He aquí yo iré al oriente, y no lo hallaré; y al occidente, y no lo percibiré.

Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;

9 Si al norte él obrare, yo no lo veré; al mediodía se esconderá, y no lo veré.

On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10 Mas él conoció mi camino; me probó, y salí como oro.

But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

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

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

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

But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

14 Por tanto él acabará lo que me es necesario; y muchas cosas como éstas hay en él.

For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.

15 Por lo cual yo me espantaré delante de su rostro; consideraré, y lo temeré.

Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;

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

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