Job 29
1 Y volvió Job a tomar su propósito, y dijo:
Job went on speaking.
2 ¡Quién me volviese como en los meses pasados, como en los días cuando Dios me guardaba,
“I wish I was back in the old days when God looked after me!
3 cuando hacía resplandecer su candela sobre mi cabeza, a la luz de la cual yo caminaba en la oscuridad;
His light shone above me and lit my way through the darkness.
4 como fue en los días de mi juventud, cuando Dios era familiar en mi tienda;
When I was young and strong, God was my friend and spoke to me in my home.
5 cuando aún el Omnipotente estaba conmigo, y mis hijos alrededor de mí;
The Almighty was still with me and I was surrounded with my children.
6 cuando lavaba yo mis caminos con manteca, y la piedra me derramaba ríos de aceite!
My herds produced much milk, and oil flowed freely from my olive presses.
7 Cuando salía a la puerta a juicio, y en la plaza hacía aparejar mi silla,
I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square.
8 Los jóvenes me veían, y se escondían; y los viejos se levantaban, y estaban en pie.
The young men saw me and moved out of the way; the elders would stand up for me.
9 Los príncipes detenían sus palabras; ponían la mano sobre su boca;
The leaders remained silent and covered their mouths with their hands.
10 la voz de los principales se ocultaba, y su lengua se pegaba a su paladar;
The voices of the officials were hushed; they held their tongues in my presence.
11 cuando los oídos que me oían, me llamaban bienaventurado, y los ojos que me veían, me daban testimonio.
Everyone who listened to me praised me; whoever saw me commended me,
12 Porque libraba al pobre que gritaba, y al huérfano que carecía de ayudador.
because I gave to the poor who called out to me and the orphans who had no one to help them.
13 La bendición del que se iba a perder venía sobre mí; y al corazón de la viuda daba alegría.
Those who were about to die blessed me; I made the widow sing for joy.
14 Me vestía de justicia, y ella me cubría como un manto; y mi diadema era juicio.
Being true and acting right were what I wore for clothing.
15 Yo era ojos al ciego, y pies al cojo.
I was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
16 A los menesterosos era padre; y de la causa que no entendía, me informaba con diligencia.
I was like a father to the poor, and I defended the rights of strangers.
17 Y quebraba los colmillos del inicuo, y de sus dientes hacía soltar la presa.
I broke the jaw of the wicked and made them drop their prey from their teeth.
18 Y decía yo: En mi nido moriré, y como arena multiplicaré días.
I thought I would die at home, after many years.
19 Mi raíz está abierta junto a las aguas, y en mis ramas permanecerá rocío.
Like a tree my roots spread out to the water; the dew rests on my branches overnight.
20 Mi honra se renueva conmigo, y mi arco se renueva en mi mano.
Fresh honors were always being given to me; my strength was renewed like an unfailing bow.
21 Me oían, y esperaban; y callaban a mi consejo.
People listened carefully to what I had to say; they kept quiet as they listened to my advice.
22 Tras mi palabra no replicaban, mas mi razón destilaba sobre ellos.
Once I had spoken they had nothing else to say; what I said was enough.
23 Me esperaban como a la lluvia, y abrían su boca como a la lluvia tardía.
They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain.
24 Si me reía a ellos, no lo creían; y no abatían la luz de mi rostro.
When I smiled at them they could hardly believe it; my approval meant all the world to them.
25 Aprobaba el camino de ellos, y me sentaba en cabecera; y moraba como rey en el ejército, como el que consuela llorosos.
I decided the way forward as their leader, living like a king among his soldiers, and when they were sad I comforted them.
