His bones are full of youthful vigor: verse 11 says that the wicked person will die prematurely, before he is very old. Revised Standard Version translates are full of in the present tense, but Good News Translation “used to be” is past tense. It is not certain from the Hebrew which the author had in mind, but either is appropriate. Bones is used as a part representing the whole, referring to his body. Youthful vigor means that his body is still strong and young, not having grown old and weak. This line may also be expressed, for example, “Although he is still young in his body,” “Although his body is still young and strong,” or “While he still has the strength of his youth.”

But it will lie down with him in the dust: in the poetic expression it is his youthful vigor that will lie down, be buried with him. Since these are physical qualities that do not of themselves lie down, some translators will have to express the thought differently; for example, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “In full vigor and youth he will go down to the grave.” If the translator has used a dependent clause in the first line, this line will complete the thought; for example, “he will be buried,” “they will put him in his grave,” or “he will die and be buried.”

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 .