1 R espondió Job, y dijo:

Then Job answered,

2 M uchas veces he oído cosas como éstas; Consoladores importunos sois todos vosotros.

“I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!

3 ¿ No tendrán fin las palabras vacías? ¿O qué te anima a responder?

Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

4 T ambién yo podría hablar como vosotros, Si vuestra alma estuviera en lugar de la mía; Yo podría ensartar contra vosotros palabras, Y por vosotros menear mi cabeza.

I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,

5 P ero yo os alentaría con mis palabras, Y la consolación de mis labios apaciguaría vuestro dolor.

but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.

6 P ero aunque hable, mi dolor no cesa; Y si dejo de hablar, no se aparta de mí.

“Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?

7 P ero ahora tú, oh Dios, me has extenuado; Has asolado toda mi familia.

But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.

8 T ú me has llenado de arrugas; testigo es mi flacura, Que se levanta contra mí para testificar en mi rostro.

You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.

9 S u furor me despedazó, y me ha aborrecido. Crujió sus dientes contra mí; Contra mí aguzó sus ojos mi enemigo.

He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.

10 A brieron contra mí su boca; Hirieron mis mejillas con afrenta; Contra mí se juntaron todos.

They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.

11 M e ha entregado Dios a los malvados, Y en las manos de los impíos me hizo caer.

God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.

12 V ivía yo tranquilo, y me desmenuzó; Me agarró por la nuca y me despedazó, Y me puso por blanco suyo.

I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.

13 M e rodearon sus flecheros, Traspasó mis riñones sin piedad; Mi hiel derramó por tierra.

His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground.

14 M e quebrantó con quebranto sobre quebranto; Me asaltó como un guerrero.

He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.

15 C osí un saco sobre mi piel, Y hundí mi cabeza en el polvo.

I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.

16 M i rostro está inflamado con el llanto, Y mis párpados ensombrecidos,

My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.

17 A pesar de no haber iniquidad en mis manos, Y de haber sido pura mi oración.

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

18 ¡ Oh tierra!, no cubras mi sangre, Y no haya lugar adonde no llegue mi clamor.

“Earth, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

19 M as he aquí que en los cielos está aún mi testigo, Y mi defensor en las alturas.

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

20 M is amigos se burlan de mí; Mas ante Dios derramaré mis lágrimas.

My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,

21 ¡ Ojalá pudiese abogar un hombre ante Dios, Como lo hace con su prójimo!

that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!

22 M as los años que me restan son contados, Y yo me iré por el camino de donde ya no volveré.

For when a few years have come, I shall go the way of no return.