They say to God, ‘Depart from us!: Revised Standard Version begins verses 8-14 with “they” or “their,” which refers in each instance to the wicked, and in translation may require being replaced by “the wicked” or “wicked people.” In 22.17 Eliphaz quotes this line almost word for word. Good News Translation‘s rendering through indirect speech is less emotive than Revised Standard Version: “The wicked tell God to leave them alone.” Better would be “They say to God ‘Leave us in peace!’ ”

We do not desire the knowledge of thy ways: the wicked do not want to know the ways of God. God’s ways are the way of life, conduct, that he requires of those who worship and follow him. This line may also be expressed, for example, “We do not want to know what you want,” “We do not care to learn what you require of people,” or “We do not want to know your laws.”

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 .