After these three questions Job now makes a statement in verse 10a followed by a condition in verse 10b. He will surely rebuke you: rebuke translates the same verb rendered “argue my case” in verse 3. However, with God as subject the meaning here is “punish, correct, chastise.” Good News Translation has “reprimand.”

If in secret you show partiality: in secret suggests a guilty action, one that must be kept hidden. Show partiality is the same expression used in verse 8a. In some languages it will be necessary to place the final clause at the beginning; for example, “If you show hidden favors to God, he will certainly punish you”; or in some languages “If you secretly lay your hand on God’s head, he will certainly stop you.” In the Hebrew order we may translate “God will surely correct your way of doing things, if you try to show him secret favors.”

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 .