You will lie down: this expression is nearly the same in meaning as the last clause of verse 18, “take your rest.” It is found in the identical words in Isaiah 17.2; Zephaniah 3.13, apart from the pronominal differences. New English Bible considers it a later addition and puts it in a footnote. Good News Translation does not translate it here in order to avoid the repetition with verse 18. And none will make you afraid: the same expression is used in Micah 4.4 to express confidence. Good News Translation has made the object of the verb “enemies”: “You won’t be afraid of your enemies.” Another possibility is “No one will cause you to fear.”

Many will entreat your favor translates the Hebrew “many will soften your face.” This figurative expression is sometimes used of begging favors from God. Applied to people it refers to saying sweet or flattering words in order to obtain something. When Job is prosperous again many people will again be asking him for favors. In some languages this expression takes on figurative forms, as in Hebrew; for example, “Many people will stroke your back,” “Many people will hold out their hands to you,” or “Many people will open their hands and smile at you.”

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 .