Why do the wicked live…?: Job’s question is in reply to Zophar’s claim that the wicked die prematurely (20.11). Job sees that the wicked are still living on, not dying off, as the friends would have him believe. The first part of the question has the sense of “Why do the wicked go on living, keep on living (and not die out)?” In the light of the next line, New English Bible refers to living a long time: “Why do the wicked enjoy long life?” Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch introduce God into the question, although other modern translations do not. However, God is an actor in verses 9b, 14a, 15a, and 15b, and even more frequently in the second section. Consequently it is evident that God is implied in Job’s speech, beginning with this verse: “Why does God let evil men live?” (Good News Translation).

Reach old age, and grow mighty in power: not only do the wicked go on living instead of dying prematurely, but they reach old age; that is, they live to become old people, advanced in years. Mighty in power is taken by some to mean that they prosper in wealth, as suggested by Good News Translation “… and prosper.” Some take it to mean physical strength, which seems less likely. Others refer to a more abstract kind of power; for example, New Jerusalem Bible “their power increasing with their age.” Translators may take mighty in any of these senses; for example, “Why does God let evil people go on living, get old and powerful?” or “Why does God allow wicked people to get old and become rich?”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .