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Job 6
Reina Valera Contemporánea
Job 6
Reina Valera Contemporánea
Job responde a Elifaz
6 Job le respondió, y dijo:
2 «¡Cómo quisiera que pusieran en la misma balanza
mi tormento por un lado y mi queja por el otro!
3 ¡Verían que pesan más que la arena del mar!
¡Por eso he hablado sin ton ni son!
4 El Dios poderoso me ha clavado sus flechas,
y puedo sentir su veneno penetrar en mi espíritu;
¡los terrores de Dios me tienen asediado!
5 ¿Rebuzna el asno montés si no le falta hierba?
¿Muge el buey si no le falta pastura?
6 ¿Habrá quien coma sin sal la comida desabrida?
¿A quién le gusta la clara del huevo?
7 ¡Pues las cosas que antes no soportaba
son las que ahora me alimentan!
8 »¡Cómo quisiera que Dios me escuchara,
y que me concediera lo que más anhelo!
9 ¡Cómo quisiera que Dios me quitara la vida,
que descargara su mano y me hiciera morir!
10 Para mí, sería un gran consuelo
morir de inmediato sin importar el dolor,
pues no he renegado de su santa voluntad.
11 ¿Quién me refuerza y me mantiene de pie?
He perdido la paciencia, pues desconozco mi fin.
12 ¿Soy acaso tan duro como la roca?
¿Acaso es mi piel resistente como el bronce?
13 Estoy tan débil, que no me puedo mover,
y nadie viene para brindarme auxilio.
14 Al amigo que sufre se le consuela,
aunque se haya olvidado del Todopoderoso.
15 ¡Pero mis impetuosos amigos me han fallado!
¡Son como las corrientes que se salen de su cauce!
16 Son como el agua turbia y congelada,
que se queda cubierta por la nieve
17 pero que con el sol se derrite
y con el calor se evapora.
18 Sin agua, las caravanas pierden el rumbo
y acaban por perderse en el desierto.
19 Las caravanas de Temán y de Sabá
buscaban agua y esperaban encontrarla,
20 Pero al llegar allí se quedaron pasmados;
se vio frustrada su esperanza de vivir.
21 ¡Y así me han dejado ustedes a mí!
¡Al ver mi sufrimiento, se han llenado de miedo!
22 ¿Acaso les pedí que trajeran sus bienes,
y que me sacaran de mi doloroso apuro?
23 ¿Les pedí que me libraran de mi enemigo,
o que me rescataran del poder de los violentos?
24 »¡Ilústrenme, y guardaré silencio!
Quiero comprender cuál es mi error.
25 Cuando es justa la censura, es bienvenida;
pero ustedes me acusan sin razón.
26 Ustedes censuran todo lo que digo,
¡pero son palabras que se lleva el viento!
27 ¡Ustedes son capaces de vender a un huérfano,
y de cavar un hoyo para enterrar a un amigo!
28 »Escúchenme, si quieren atenderme;
piensen bien si soy capaz de mentirles.
29 Vuelvan a juzgarme, pero sin saña;
reconsideren mi causa y vean si es justa.
30 ¿Acaso he hablado con malas intenciones?
¿Acaso no distingo entre el bien y el mal?
Job 6
Nueva Versión Internacional
Job 6
Nueva Versión Internacional
Segundo discurso de Job
6 A esto Job respondió:
2 «¡Cómo quisiera que mi angustia se pesara
y se pusiera en la balanza, junto con mi desgracia!
3 ¡De seguro pesarían más que la arena de los mares!
¡Por algo mis palabras son tan impetuosas!
4 Las saetas del Todopoderoso me han herido,
y mi espíritu absorbe su veneno.
¡Dios ha enviado sus terrores contra mí!
5 ¿Rebuzna el asno salvaje si tiene hierba?
¿Muge el buey si tiene forraje?
6 ¿Puede comerse sin sal la comida desabrida?
¿Tiene algún sabor la clara de huevo?[a]
7 Mi paladar se niega a probarla;
¡esa comida me enferma!
8 »¡Ah, si Dios me concediera lo que pido!
¡Si Dios me otorgara lo que anhelo!
9 ¡Ah, si Dios se decidiera a destrozarme por completo,
a descargar su mano sobre mí y aniquilarme!
10 Aun así me quedaría este consuelo,
esta alegría en medio de mi implacable dolor:
¡el no haber negado las palabras del Dios Santo!
11 »¿Qué fuerzas me quedan para seguir esperando?
¿Qué fin me espera para querer vivir?
12 ¿Tengo acaso la fuerza de la roca?
¿Acaso tengo piel de bronce?
13 ¿Cómo puedo valerme por mí mismo,
si me han quitado todos mis recursos?
14 »Al amigo que sufre no se le niega la lealtad,[b]
aunque se haya apartado del temor al Todopoderoso.
15 Pero mis hermanos me traicionan como un torrente;
como corrientes de arroyos que desaparecen:
16 se enturbian cuando el hielo se derrite;
se ensanchan al derretirse la nieve,
17 pero dejan de fluir durante las sequías;
en pleno calor desaparecen de sus lechos.
18 Las caravanas se apartan de sus rutas;
se encaminan al desierto y allí mueren.
19 Las caravanas de Temá van en busca de agua,
los mercaderes de Sabá abrigan esperanzas.
20 Se desaniman, a pesar de su confianza;
llegan allí y se quedan frustrados.
21 Lo mismo pasa con ustedes:
¡ven algo espantoso y se asustan!
22 ¿Acaso les he pedido que me den algo
o que paguen con su dinero mi rescate?
23 ¿Acaso les he pedido que me libren de mi enemigo
o que me rescaten de las garras de los opresores?
24 »Instrúyanme y me quedaré callado;
muéstrenme en qué estoy equivocado.
25 ¡Qué dolorosas son las palabras justas!
¡Pero los argumentos de ustedes, qué pretenden probar!
26 ¿Pretenden ustedes corregir lo que digo
y tratar mis palabras desesperadas como si fueran viento?
27 ¡Ustedes echarían suertes hasta por un huérfano
y venderían a su amigo por cualquier cosa!
28 »Tengan la bondad de mirarme a los ojos.
¿Creen que les mentiría en su propia cara?
29 Reflexionen, no sean injustos;
reflexionen, que en esto radica mi integridad.
30 ¿Acaso hay malicia en mi lengua?
¿No puede mi paladar discernir la maldad?
Job 6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Job 6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 6
Job’s First Reply. 1 Then Job answered and said:
2 Ah, could my anguish but be measured
and my calamity laid with it in the scales,
3 They would now outweigh the sands of the sea!
Because of this I speak without restraint.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me,(A)
and my spirit drinks in their poison;
the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass?[a]
Does the ox low over its fodder?
6 Can anything insipid be eaten without salt?
Is there flavor in the white of an egg?
7 I refuse to touch them;
they are like loathsome food to me.
8 Oh, that I might have my request,
and that God would grant what I long for:
9 Even that God would decide to crush me,
that he would put forth his hand and cut me off!
10 Then I should still have consolation
and could exult through unremitting pain,
because I have not transgressed the commands of the Holy One.
11 What strength have I that I should endure,
and what is my limit that I should be patient?
12 Have I the strength of stones,
or is my flesh of bronze?
13 Have I no helper,(B)
and has my good sense deserted me?
14 A friend owes kindness to one in despair,
though he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.
15 My companions are undependable as a wadi,
as watercourses that run dry in the wadies;
16 Though they may be black with ice,
and with snow heaped upon them,
17 Yet once they flow, they cease to be;
in the heat, they disappear from their place.
18 Caravans wander from their routes;
they go into the wasteland and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema[b] search,
the companies of Sheba have hopes;
20 They are disappointed, though they were confident;
they come there and are frustrated.
21 It is thus that you have now become for me;[c]
you see a terrifying thing and are afraid.
22 Have I said, “Give me something,
make a bribe on my behalf from your possessions”?
23 Or “Deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
redeem me from oppressors”?
24 Teach me, and I will be silent;
make me understand how I have erred.
25 How painful honest words can be;
yet how unconvincing is your argument!
26 Do you consider your words as proof,
but the sayings of a desperate man as wind?
27 You would even cast lots for the orphan,
and would barter over your friend!
28 Come, now, give me your attention;
surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Think it over; let there be no injustice.
Think it over; I still am right.
30 Is there insincerity on my tongue,
or cannot my taste discern falsehood?
Footnotes
- 6:5–6 Job would not complain if his life were as pleasant to him as fodder to a hungry animal; but his life is as disagreeable as insipid food. White of an egg: thus the obscure Hebrew has been understood in Jewish tradition; some render it “mallow juice.”
- 6:19 Tema: in northwest Arabia. Sheba: home of the Sabeans; see note on 1:15.
- 6:21 It is only at this point that the previous lines (vv. 1–20) are clearly directed to the three friends. The style of replying in these chapters (3–31) is often indirect. Job and the friends become mouthpieces through which the author presents current views on divine retribution in dramatic fashion. In chap. 7, Job will not even speak directly to the friends.
Job 6
New International Version
Job 6
New International Version
Job
6 Then Job replied:
2 “If only my anguish could be weighed
and all my misery be placed on the scales!(A)
3 It would surely outweigh the sand(B) of the seas—
no wonder my words have been impetuous.(C)
4 The arrows(D) of the Almighty(E) are in me,(F)
my spirit drinks(G) in their poison;(H)
God’s terrors(I) are marshaled against me.(J)
5 Does a wild donkey(K) bray(L) when it has grass,
or an ox bellow when it has fodder?(M)
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow[a]?(N)
7 I refuse to touch it;
such food makes me ill.(O)
8 “Oh, that I might have my request,
that God would grant what I hope for,(P)
9 that God would be willing to crush(Q) me,
to let loose his hand and cut off my life!(R)
10 Then I would still have this consolation(S)—
my joy in unrelenting pain(T)—
that I had not denied the words(U) of the Holy One.(V)
11 “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
What prospects, that I should be patient?(W)
12 Do I have the strength of stone?
Is my flesh bronze?(X)
13 Do I have any power to help myself,(Y)
now that success has been driven from me?
14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend(Z)
forsakes the fear of the Almighty.(AA)
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,(AB)
as the streams that overflow
16 when darkened by thawing ice
and swollen with melting snow,(AC)
17 but that stop flowing in the dry season,
and in the heat(AD) vanish from their channels.
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes;
they go off into the wasteland and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema(AE) look for water,
the traveling merchants of Sheba(AF) look in hope.
20 They are distressed, because they had been confident;
they arrive there, only to be disappointed.(AG)
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help;
you see something dreadful and are afraid.(AH)
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf,
pay a ransom(AI) for me from your wealth,(AJ)
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?(AK)
24 “Teach me, and I will be quiet;(AL)
show me where I have been wrong.(AM)
25 How painful are honest words!(AN)
But what do your arguments prove?
26 Do you mean to correct what I say,
and treat my desperate words as wind?(AO)
27 You would even cast lots(AP) for the fatherless(AQ)
and barter away your friend.
Job 6
Easy-to-Read Version
Job 6
Easy-to-Read Version
Job Answers Eliphaz
6 Then Job answered:
2 “I wish my suffering could be weighed
and all my trouble be put on the scales.
3 They would be heavier than all the sand of the sea!
That is why my words are so crazy.
4 God All-Powerful has shot me with his arrows.
My spirit feels their poison!
God’s terrible weapons are lined up against me.
5 Even a wild donkey does not complain when it has grass to eat.
And a cow is quiet when it has food.
6 Food without salt does not taste good,
and the white of an egg has no taste.
7 I refuse to touch that kind of food;
it makes me sick!
8 “I wish I could have what I ask for.
I wish God would give me what I want.
9 I wish he would crush me—
just go ahead and kill me!
10 Then I would be comforted by this one thing:
Even through all this pain,
I never refused to obey the commands of the Holy One.
11 “With my strength gone, I have no hope to go on living.
With nothing to look forward to, why should I be patient?
12 I am not strong like a rock.
My body is not made from bronze.
13 I don’t have the power to help myself,
because all hope of success has been taken away from me.
14 “Friends should be loyal to you in times of trouble,
even if you turn away from God All-Powerful.[a]
15 But I cannot depend on you, my brothers.
You are like a stream that has no water when the weather is dry
but is flooded when the rains come.
16 In the winter, it is choked with ice and melting snow.
17 But when the weather is hot and dry,
the water stops flowing,
and the stream disappears.
18 It twists and turns along the way
and then disappears into the desert.
19 Traders from Tema search for it.
Travelers from Sheba hope to find it.
20 They are sure they can find water,
but they will be disappointed.
21 Now, you are like those streams.
You see my troubles and are afraid.
22 But have I ever asked you to help me?
Did I ask you to offer a bribe for me from your wealth?
23 No, and I never said, ‘Save me from my enemies!’
or ‘Save me from those who are cruel!’
24 “So now, teach me, and I will be quiet.
Show me what I have done wrong.
25 Honest words are powerful,
but your arguments prove nothing.
26 Do you plan to criticize me?
Will you speak more tiring words?
27 Are you the kind of people
who would gamble for orphans
and sell out your own friends?
28 Now, look me in the face,
and see that I am telling the truth!
29 You need to start over and stop being so unfair!
Think again, because I am innocent.
30 I am not lying.
I know right from wrong.
Footnotes
- Job 6:14 Or “People who fail to be loyal to their friends have also failed to respect God All-Powerful.”
Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC)
Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas
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New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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