1 R espondió Job y dijo:

Then Job answered,

2 « Muchas veces he oído cosas como éstas, ¡Consoladores molestos sois todos vosotros!

I have heard many such things; wearisome and miserable comforters are you all!

3 ¿ Tendrán fin las palabras vacías? ¿Qué es lo que te anima a responder?

Will your futile words of wind have no end? Or what makes you so bold to answer ?

4 T ambién yo podría hablar como vosotros, si vuestra alma estuviera en lugar de la mía. Yo podría hilvanar contra vosotros palabras, y sobre vosotros mover la cabeza.

I also could speak as you do, if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you.

5 P ero os alentaría con mis palabras, y el consuelo de mis labios calmaría vuestro dolor.

I would strengthen and encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would soothe your suffering.

6 » Pero en mí, aunque yo hable, el dolor no cesa; y aunque deje de hablar, no se aparta de mí.

If I speak, my sorrow is not soothed or lessened; and if I refrain, in what way am I eased?

7 P orque ahora él me ha fatigado; ha asolado toda mi compañía.

But now has taken away my strength. You have made desolate all my family and associates.

8 M e ha llenado de arrugas: testigo es mi delgadez, la cual se levanta contra mí para testificar en mi rostro.

You have laid firm hold on me and have shriveled me up, which is a witness against me; and my leanness are further evidence; testify to my face.

9 S u furor me ha destrozado, me ha sido contrario; cruje sus dientes contra mí: contra mí aguza sus ojos mi enemigo.

'> My adversary Satan] has torn in his wrath and hated and persecuted me; he has gnashed upon me with his teeth; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me.

10 E llos han abierto contra mí su boca, y han herido mis mejillas con afrenta: ¡contra mí se han juntado todos!

have gaped at me with their mouths; they have struck me upon the cheek insolently; they massed themselves together and conspired unanimously against me.

11 D ios me ha entregado al mentiroso, en las manos de los impíos me ha hecho caer.

God has delivered me to the ungodly (to the evil one) and cast me into the hands of the wicked (Satan’s host).

12 Y o vivía en prosperidad, y me desmenuzó; me arrebató por la cerviz, me despedazó y me puso por blanco suyo.

I was living at ease, but crushed me and broke me apart; yes, he seized me by the neck and dashed me in pieces; then he set me up for his target.

13 M e rodearon sus flecheros, y él partió mis riñones sin compasión y derramó mi hiel por tierra.

arrows whiz around me. He slashes open my vitals and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground.

14 M e quebrantó de quebranto en quebranto; corrió contra mí como un gigante.

stabs me, making breach after breach and attacking again and again; he runs at me like a giant and irresistible warrior.

15 E ntonces cosí sobre mi piel tejidos ásperos y puse mi cabeza en el polvo.

I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and have defiled my horn (my insignia of strength) in the dust.

16 M i rostro está hinchado por el llanto y mis párpados entenebrecidos,

My face is red and swollen with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death,

17 a pesar de no haber iniquidad en mis manos y de ser pura mi oración.

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

18 » ¡Tierra, no cubras mi sangre ni haya en ti lugar para mi clamor!

O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry have no resting-place.

19 E n los cielos está mi testigo y mi testimonio en las alturas.

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

20 D isputadores son mis amigos, mas ante Dios derramaré mis lágrimas.

My friends scorn me, but my eye pours out tears to God.

21 ¡ Ojalá pudiera disputar el hombre con Dios como con su prójimo!

Oh, that there might be one who would plead for a man with God and that he would maintain his right with Him, as a son of man pleads with or for his neighbor!

22 M as vienen los años, que están contados, y yo me iré por el camino sin regreso.

For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from which I shall not return.