1 E ntonces respondió Job, y dijo:

Then Job answered,

2 H e oído muchas cosas como éstas; consoladores gravosos sois todos vosotros.

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

3 ¿ No hay fin a las palabras vacías ? ¿O qué te provoca para que así respondas?

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

4 Y o también hablaría como vosotros, si vuestra alma estuviera en lugar de mi alma. Podría hilvanar palabras contra vosotros, y mover ante vosotros la 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 O s podría alentar con mi boca, y el consuelo de mis labios podría aliviar vuestro dolor.

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

6 S i hablo, mi dolor no disminuye, y si callo, no se aparta de mí.

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

7 P ero ahora El me ha agobiado; tú has asolado toda mi compañía,

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

8 y me has llenado de arrugas que en testigo se han convertido; mi flacura se levanta contra mí, testifica en mi cara.

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 ira me ha despedazado y me ha perseguido, contra mí El ha rechinado los dientes; mi adversario aguza los ojos contra mí.

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 H an abierto contra mí su boca, con injurias me han abofeteado; a una se aglutinan contra mí.

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

11 D ios me entrega a los impíos, y me echa en manos de los malvados.

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

12 E staba yo tranquilo, y El me sacudió, me agarró por la nuca y me hizo pedazos; también me hizo su blanco.

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 rodean sus flechas, parte mis riñones sin compasión, derrama por tierra mi hiel.

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

14 A bre en mí brecha tras brecha; arremete contra mí como un guerrero.

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

15 S obre mi piel he cosido cilicio, y he hundido en el polvo mi poder.

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

16 M i rostro está enrojecido por el llanto, y cubren mis párpados densa oscuridad,

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

17 a unque no hay violencia en mis manos, y es 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 para mi clamor!

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

19 H e aquí, aun ahora mi testigo está en el cielo, y mi defensor está en las alturas.

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

20 M is amigos son mis escarnecedores; mis ojos lloran a Dios.

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

21 ¡ Ah, si un hombre pudiera argüir con Dios como un hombre con su vecino!

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

22 P orque cuando hayan pasado unos pocos años, me iré por el camino sin retorno.

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