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 bitter; my hand is become heavy because of 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 order my cause 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 His great 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 turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

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

For 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 at one with Himself, 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 will perform 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 affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

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

Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted 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.