1 T hen Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

Entonces Elifaz, el Temanita respondió:

2 “ Can a man be of use to God? Can a wise man be of use to himself?

“¿Puede un hombre ser útil a Dios, O un sabio útil para sí mismo?

3 I s the All-powerful pleased if you are right and good? Is it of any use to Him if your ways were perfect?

¿Es de algún beneficio al Todopoderoso (Shaddai) que tú seas justo, O gana algo si haces perfectos tus caminos?

4 I s it because of how you honor God that He speaks strong words to you and punishes you?

¿Es a causa de tu piedad que El te reprende, Que entra en juicio contigo ?

5 H ave you not done much wrong and your sins have no end?

¿No es grande tu maldad, Y sin fin tus iniquidades ?

6 F or you have taken things from your brothers when they did not owe you anything. You have taken all their clothing and they have had nothing to wear.

Porque sin razón tomabas prendas de tus hermanos, Y has despojado de sus ropas a los desnudos.

7 T o those who were tired, you have given no water to drink. And you have kept bread from the hungry.

No dabas a beber agua al cansado, Y le negabas pan al hambriento.

8 B ut you were a powerful and respected man owning land and living on it.

Pero la tierra es del poderoso, Y el privilegiado mora en ella.

9 Y ou have sent women away with nothing, whose husbands have died. And you have crushed the strength of children who have no parents.

Despedías a las viudas con las manos vacías Y quebrabas los brazos de los huérfanos.

10 S o traps are all around you, and much fear comes upon you all at once.

Por eso te rodean lazos, Y te aterra temor repentino,

11 T his is why it is dark and you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

O tinieblas, y no puedes ver, Y abundancia de agua te cubre.

12 “ Is not God high up in heaven? See the highest stars, how high they are!

¿No está Dios en lo alto de los cielos ? Mira también las más lejanas estrellas, ¡cuán altas están!

13 S o you say, ‘What does God know? Can He judge through the darkness?

Y tú dices: ‘¿Qué sabe Dios ? ¿Puede El juzgar a través de las densas tinieblas?

14 C louds cover Him so that He cannot see. He walks on the roof of heaven.’

Las nubes Lo ocultan, y no puede ver, Y se pasea por la bóveda del cielo.’

15 W ill you keep to the old way which sinful men have walked?

¿Seguirás en la senda antigua En que anduvieron los hombres malvados,

16 T hey were taken away before their time. The ground they stood on was washed away by a river.

Que fueron arrebatados antes de su tiempo, Y cuyos cimientos fueron arrasados por un río ?

17 T hey said to God, ‘Leave us!’ and ‘What can the All-powerful do to us?’

Ellos dijeron a Dios: ‘Apártate de nosotros’ Y: ‘¿Qué puede hacernos el Todopoderoso ?’

18 Y et He filled their houses with good things. But the wisdom of the sinful is far from me.

El había llenado de bienes sus casas, Pero el consejo de los malos está lejos de mí.

19 T hose who are right and good see it and are glad. Those who are without guilt make fun of them,

Los justos ven y se alegran, Y el inocente se burla de ellos,

20 s aying, ‘For sure those who hate us are destroyed, and fire has destroyed what they owned.’

Diciendo: ‘Ciertamente nuestros adversarios han sido destruidos, Y el fuego ha consumido su abundancia.’

21 “ Agree with God, and be at peace with Him. Then good will come to you.

Cede ahora y haz la paz con El, Así te vendrá el bien.

22 R eceive the teaching from His mouth, and keep His words in your heart.

Recibe, te ruego, la instrucción (la ley) de Su boca, Y pon Sus palabras en tu corazón.

23 I f you return to the All-powerful, things will be well with you again. Put sin far from your tent.

Si vuelves al Todopoderoso, serás restaurado (edificado). Si alejas de tu tienda la injusticia,

24 P ut your gold in the dust, and gold of Ophir among the stones of the river.

Y pones tu oro en el polvo, Y el oro de Ofir entre las piedras de los arroyos,

25 T hen the All-powerful will be your gold and silver of much worth.

El Todopoderoso será para ti tu oro Y tu plata escogida.

26 T hen you will have joy in the All-powerful, and lift up your face to God.

Porque entonces te deleitarás en el Todopoderoso, Y alzarás a Dios tu rostro.

27 Y ou will pray to Him, and He will hear you. And you will keep your promises to Him.

Orarás a El y te escuchará, Y cumplirás tus votos.

28 Y ou will decide something, and it will be done for you. Light will shine on your path.

Decidirás una cosa, y se te cumplirá, Y en tus caminos resplandecerá la luz.

29 F or God puts down the man who is filled with pride. But He saves the one who is not proud.

Cuando estés abatido, hablarás con confianza Y El salvará al humilde.

30 H e will save the man who is even guilty because he will be helped by your hands that are clean.”

El librará aun al que no es inocente, Que será librado por la pureza de tus manos.”