He deprives of speech those who are trusted: deprives of speech translates the Hebrew idiom “removes the lip,” and this is rendered by Good News Translation “He silences….” Those who are trusted translates a word which has the meaning of “truthful, sincere” as well as “steadfast, faithful, trusted.” Dhorme translates “He deprives of speech the truthful,” but this sense does not fit the context as well as Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and others. The line may be rendered, for example, “He closes the mouths of those whom the people trust,” “He will not allow truthful people to speak,” “He causes the faithful to be silent,” or “He causes people whom others trust to be silent.”

And takes away the discernment of the elders: discernment translates the Hebrew “taste” and refers to the capacity to distinguish between right and wrong. It is rendered in English by such words as “judgment, insight, good sense.” In 12.12 wisdom is a quality of “the aged,” and Good News Translation, which translated there “old men have wisdom,” here says “wisdom of old men.” This line may also be expressed, for example, “and he takes away from the old people their good judgment” or “and he removes from old people their ability to know right from wrong.”

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 .