1 T hen Job answered,

Y RESPONDIO Job, y dijo:

2 “ Yes, I know this is true. But how can a man be right and good before God?

Ciertamente yo conozco que es así: ¿Y cómo se justificará el hombre con Dios?

3 I f one wished to argue with Him, he would not be able to answer one out of a thousand of His questions.

Si quisiere contender con él, No le podrá responder á una cosa de mil.

4 H e is wise in heart and powerful in strength. Who has ever stood against Him without being hurt?

El es sabio de corazón, y poderoso en fortaleza, ¿Quién se endureció contra él, y quedó en paz?

5 I t is He Who takes away the mountains without their knowing it, when He destroys them in His anger.

Que arranca los montes con su furor, Y no conocen quién los trastornó:

6 H e shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars shake.

Que remueve la tierra de su lugar, Y hace temblar sus columnas:

7 H e tells the sun not to shine, and He keeps the stars from shining.

Que manda al sol, y no sale; Y sella las estrellas:

8 H e alone spreads out the heavens and walks upon the waves of the sea.

El que extiende solo los cielos, Y anda sobre las alturas de la mar:

9 H e makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades and the stars of the south.

El que hizo el Arcturo, y el Orión, y las Pléyadas, Y los lugares secretos del mediodía:

10 H e does things too great for us to understand, and more wonderful works than we can number.

El que hace cosas grandes é incomprensibles, Y maravillosas, sin número.

11 W hen He passes by me, I do not see Him. When He goes by me, I do not know Him.

He aquí que él pasará delante de mí, y yo no lo veré; Y pasará, y no lo entenderé.

12 I f He takes away, who can stop Him? Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

He aquí, arrebatará; ¿quién le hará restituir? ¿Quién le dirá, Qué haces?

13 “ God will not stop His anger. The helpers of Rahab bow under Him.

Dios no tornará atrás su ira, Y debajo de él se encorvan los que ayudan á los soberbios.

14 H ow then can I answer Him, and choose the right words to speak with Him?

¿Cuánto menos le responderé yo, Y hablaré con él palabras estudiadas?

15 E ven if I am right, I cannot answer Him. I must beg Him who is against me to have pity.

Que aunque fuese yo justo, no responderé; Antes habré de rogar á mi juez.

16 I f I called and He answered me, I could not believe that He was listening to my voice.

Que si yo le invocase, y él me respondiese, Aun no creeré que haya escuchado mi voz.

17 F or He crushes me with a storm, and hurts me more and more without a reason.

Porque me ha quebrado con tempestad, Y ha aumentado mis heridas sin causa.

18 H e will not let me get my breath, but fills me with much that is bitter.

No me ha concedido que tome mi aliento; Mas hame hartado de amarguras.

19 I f it is a question of power, see, He is the strong one! If it is a question of what is right and fair, who can call Him to a trial?

Si habláremos de su potencia, fuerte por cierto es; Si de juicio, ¿quién me emplazará?

20 E ven if I were right, my mouth would say that I am guilty. Even if I were without blame, He would say I am guilty.

Si yo me justificare, me condenará mi boca; Si me dijere perfecto, esto me hará inicuo.

21 E ven though I am without blame, I do not care about myself. I hate my life.

Bien que yo fuese íntegro, no conozco mi alma: Reprocharé mi vida.

22 I t is all the same, so I say, ‘He destroys both those who are without blame and the sinful.’

Una cosa resta que yo diga: Al perfecto y al impío él los consume.

23 I f death comes fast by disease, He makes fun of the trouble of those who have done no wrong.

Si azote mata de presto, Ríese de la prueba de los inocentes.

24 T he earth is given into the hand of the sinful. He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

La tierra es entregada en manos de los impíos, Y él cubre el rostro de sus jueces. Si no es él, ¿quién es? ¿dónde está?

25 “ My days go faster than a runner. They fly away, and see no good.

Mis días han sido más ligeros que un correo; Huyeron, y no vieron el bien.

26 T hey go by like fast boats, like an eagle coming down to catch its food.

Pasaron cual navíos veloces: Como el águila que se arroja á la comida.

27 I f I say, ‘I will forget my complaining. I will put off my sad face and be happy,’

Si digo: Olvidaré mi queja, Dejaré mi aburrimiento, y esforzaréme:

28 I am still afraid of all my pains for I know You will not take away my guilt.

Contúrbanme todos mis trabajos; Sé que no me darás por libre.

29 B ecause I am already guilty, why should I try for nothing?

Yo soy impío, ¿Para qué trabajaré en vano?

30 I f I wash myself with snow and clean my hands using the best soap,

Aunque me lave con aguas de nieve, Y limpie mis manos con la misma limpieza,

31 Y ou would still throw me down into a deep hole. And my own clothes would hate me.

Aun me hundirás en el hoyo, Y mis propios vestidos me abominarán.

32 F or He is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him, that we might go to trial together.

Porque no es hombre como yo, para que yo le responda, Y vengamos juntamente á juicio.

33 T here is no one to decide between us, who might lay his hand upon us both.

No hay entre nosotros árbitro Que ponga su mano sobre nosotros ambos.

34 L et Him stop punishing me. And do not let fear of Him make me so afraid.

Quite de sobre mí su vara, Y su terror no me espante.

35 T hen I would speak and not be afraid of Him. But I am not like that in myself.

Entonces hablaré, y no le temeré: Porque así no estoy en mí mismo.