1 E ntonces respondió Job, y dijo:

Then Job answered,

2 H e oído muchas cosas como éstas; consoladores gravosos sois todos vosotros.

I have heard many such things; wearisome and miserable comforters are you all!

3 ¿ No hay fin a las palabras vacías ? ¿O qué te provoca para que así respondas?

Will your futile words of wind have no end? Or what makes you so bold to answer ?

4 Y o también hablaría como vosotros, si vuestra alma estuviera en lugar de mi alma. Podría hilvanar palabras contra vosotros, y mover ante vosotros la cabeza.

I also could speak as you do, if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you.

5 O s podría alentar con mi boca, y el consuelo de mis labios podría aliviar vuestro dolor.

I would strengthen and encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would soothe your suffering.

6 S i hablo, mi dolor no disminuye, y si callo, no se aparta de mí.

If I speak, my sorrow is not soothed or lessened; and if I refrain, in what way am I eased?

7 P ero ahora El me ha agobiado; tú has asolado toda mi compañía,

But now has taken away my strength. You have made desolate all my family and associates.

8 y me has llenado de arrugas que en testigo se han convertido; mi flacura se levanta contra mí, testifica en mi cara.

You have laid firm hold on me and have shriveled me up, which is a witness against me; and my leanness are further evidence; testify to my face.

9 S u ira me ha despedazado y me ha perseguido, contra mí El ha rechinado los dientes; mi adversario aguza los ojos contra mí.

'> My adversary Satan] has torn in his wrath and hated and persecuted me; he has gnashed upon me with his teeth; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me.

10 H an abierto contra mí su boca, con injurias me han abofeteado; a una se aglutinan contra mí.

have gaped at me with their mouths; they have struck me upon the cheek insolently; they massed themselves together and conspired unanimously against me.

11 D ios me entrega a los impíos, y me echa en manos de los malvados.

God has delivered me to the ungodly (to the evil one) and cast me into the hands of the wicked (Satan’s host).

12 E staba yo tranquilo, y El me sacudió, me agarró por la nuca y me hizo pedazos; también me hizo su blanco.

I was living at ease, but crushed me and broke me apart; yes, he seized me by the neck and dashed me in pieces; then he set me up for his target.

13 M e rodean sus flechas, parte mis riñones sin compasión, derrama por tierra mi hiel.

arrows whiz around me. He slashes open my vitals and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground.

14 A bre en mí brecha tras brecha; arremete contra mí como un guerrero.

stabs me, making breach after breach and attacking again and again; he runs at me like a giant and irresistible warrior.

15 S obre mi piel he cosido cilicio, y he hundido en el polvo mi poder.

I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and have defiled my horn (my insignia of strength) in the dust.

16 M i rostro está enrojecido por el llanto, y cubren mis párpados densa oscuridad,

My face is red and swollen with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death,

17 a unque no hay violencia en mis manos, y es pura mi oración.

Although there is no guilt or violence in my hands and my prayer is pure.

18 ¡ Oh tierra, no cubras mi sangre, y no haya lugar para mi clamor!

O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry have no resting-place.

19 H e aquí, aun ahora mi testigo está en el cielo, y mi defensor está en las alturas.

Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, and He who vouches for me is on high.

20 M is amigos son mis escarnecedores; mis ojos lloran a Dios.

My friends scorn me, but my eye pours out tears to God.

21 ¡ Ah, si un hombre pudiera argüir con Dios como un hombre con su vecino!

Oh, that there might be one who would plead for a man with God and that he would maintain his right with Him, as a son of man pleads with or for his neighbor!

22 P orque cuando hayan pasado unos pocos años, me iré por el camino sin retorno.

For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from which I shall not return.