1 Y RESPONDIO Job y dijo:

Then Job answered,

2 O h si pesasen al justo mi queja y mi tormento, Y se alzasen igualmente en balanza!

Oh, that my impatience and vexation might be weighed and all my calamity be laid up over against them in the balances, one against the other!

3 P orque pesaría aquél más que la arena del mar: Y por tanto mis palabras son cortadas.

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash and wild,

4 P orque las saetas del Todopoderoso están en mí, Cuyo veneno bebe mi espíritu; Y terrores de Dios me combaten.

because the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison which my spirit drinks up; the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

5 ¿ Acaso gime el asno montés junto á la hierba? ¿Muge el buey junto á su pasto?

Does the wild ass bray when it has grass? Or does the ox low over its fodder?

6 ¿ Comeráse lo desabrido sin sal? ¿O habrá gusto en la clara del huevo?

Can that which has no taste to it be eaten without salt? Or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?

7 L as cosas que mi alma no quería tocar, Por los dolores son mi comida.

my soul refuses to touch! Such things are like diseased food to me!

8 Q uién me diera que viniese mi petición, Y que Dios me otorgase lo que espero;

Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 Y que pluguiera á Dios quebrantarme; Que soltara su mano, y me deshiciera!

I even wish that it would please God to crush me, that He would let loose His hand and cut me off!

10 Y sería aún mi consuelo, Si me asaltase con dolor sin dar más tregua, Que yo no he escondido las palabras del Santo.

Then would I still have consolation—yes, I would leap amid unsparing pain —that I have not concealed or denied the words of the Holy One!

11 ¿ Cuál es mi fortaleza para esperar aún? ¿Y cuál mi fin para dilatar mi vida?

What strength have I left, that I should wait and hope? And what is ahead of me, that I should be patient?

12 ¿ Es mi fortaleza la de las piedras? ¿O mi carne, es de acero?

Is my strength and endurance that of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?

13 ¿ No me ayudo cuanto puedo, Y el poder me falta del todo?

Is it not that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom is quite driven from me?

14 E l atribulado es consolado de su compañero: Mas hase abandonado el temor del Omnipotente.

To him who is about to faint and despair, kindness is due from his friend, lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty.

15 M is hermanos han mentido cual arroyo: Pasáronse como corrientes impetuosas,

my brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away,

16 Q ue están escondidas por la helada, Y encubiertas con nieve;

Which are black and turbid by reason of the ice, and in which the snows hides itself;

17 Q ue al tiempo del calor son deshechas, Y en calentándose, desaparecen de su lugar;

When they get warm, they shrink and disappear; when it is hot, they vanish out of their place.

18 A pártanse de la senda de su rumbo, Van menguando y piérdense.

The caravans which travel by way of them turn aside; they go into the waste places and perish.

19 M iraron los caminantes de Temán, Los caminantes de Saba esperaron en ellas:

The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 M as fueron avergonzados por su esperanza; Porque vinieron hasta ellas, y halláronse confusos.

They were confounded because they had hoped; they came there and were bitterly disappointed.

21 A hora ciertamente como ellas sois vosotros: Que habéis visto el tormento, y teméis.

Now to me you are; you see my dismay and terror, and you are afraid.

22 ¿ Os he dicho yo: Traedme, Y pagad por mí de vuestra hacienda;

Did I ever say, Bring me a gift, or Pay a bribe on my account from your wealth

23 Y libradme de la mano del opresor, Y redimidme del poder de los violentos?

To deliver me from the adversary’s hand, or Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

24 E nseñadme, y yo callaré: Y hacedme entender en qué he errado.

Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 C uán fuertes son las palabras de rectitud! Mas ¿qué reprende el que reprende de vosotros?

How forcible are words of straightforward speech! But what does your arguing argue and prove or your reproof reprove?

26 ¿ Pensáis censurar palabras, Y los discursos de un desesperado, que son como el viento?

Do you imagine your words to be an argument, but the speeches of one who is desperate to be as wind?

27 T ambién os arrojáis sobre el huérfano, Y hacéis hoyo delante de vuestro amigo.

Yes, you would cast lots over the fatherless and bargain away your friend.

28 A hora pues, si queréis, mirad en mí, Y ved si miento delante de vosotros.

Now be pleased to look upon me, that it may be evident to you if I lie.

29 T ornad ahora, y no haya iniquidad; Volved aún á considerar mi justicia en esto.

Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yes, return again, my vindication is in it.

30 ¿ Hay iniquidad en mi lengua? ¿No puede mi paladar discernir las cosas depravadas?

Is there wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is destructive?