1 R espondió Job, y dijo:

Then Job answered,

2 H oy también hablaré con amargura; Porque es más grave mi llaga que mi gemido.

Even today is my complaint rebellious and bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 ¡ Quién me diera el saber dónde hallar a Dios! Yo iría hasta su tribunal.

Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

4 E xpondría mi causa delante de él, Y llenaría mi boca de argumentos.

I would lay my cause before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 Y o comprendería las razones de su réplica, Y entendería lo que me dijera.

I would learn what He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me.

6 ¿ Contendería conmigo con grandeza de fuerza? No; antes él me atendería.

Would He plead against me with His great power? No, He would give heed to me.

7 R econocería en su adversario un hombre recto, Y yo escaparía para siempre de mi juez.

There the righteous could reason with Him; so I should be acquitted by my Judge forever.

8 P ero me dirijo al oriente, y no lo hallo; Y al occidente, y no lo percibo;

Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; I go backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

9 S i muestra su poder al norte, yo no lo veo; Al sur me vuelvo, y no lo encuentro.

On the left hand where He works, but I cannot behold Him; He turns Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

10 M as él conoce mi camino; Me examinará, y saldré como el oro.

But He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold.

11 M is pies han seguido sus pisadas; Guardé su camino, y no me torcí.

My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside.

12 D el mandamiento de sus labios nunca me separé; Guardé las palabras de su boca más que mi comida.

I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

13 P ero si él determina una cosa, ¿quién lo hará cambiar? Su alma deseó, e hizo.

But He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And what He wants to do, that He does.

14 É l, pues, acabará lo que ha determinado hacer de mí; Y muchas cosas como éstas tiene en su mente.

For He performs planned for me, and of many such matters He is mindful.

15 P or lo cual yo me espanto en su presencia; Cuando lo considero, tiemblo de sólo pensarlo.

Therefore am I troubled and terrified at His presence; when I consider, I am in dread and afraid of Him.

16 D ios ha enervado mi corazón, Y me ha turbado el Omnipotente.

For God has made my heart faint, timid, and broken, and the Almighty has terrified me,

17 ¿ Por qué no fui yo envuelto en las tinieblas, Ni fue cubierto con oscuridad mi rostro?

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has He covered the thick darkness from my face.