complete verse (Job 36:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 36:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not refuse God
    because you are more pleased with that evil/sin than the trouble/suffering.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Be careful! Do not return to evil!
    Because of this you have been tested by trouble” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] be-careful that you (sing.) would not do wickedness. You (sing.) are-cause-to-suffer so-that you (sing.) can-stay-away from doing it.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Be careful not to begin doing evil things,
    because God has caused you to suffer to prevent you from doing evil.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 36:21

Take heed, do not turn to iniquity echoes verse 18 as another warning. The first line is clear enough. Turn to iniquity means “to do evil deeds, become evil.” Stated positively the sense is “avoid sin, get rid of evil ways, turn your back on wrongdoing.”

In the second line this refers back to iniquity in the first line. The verb chosen can also have the meaning of “test or prove,” particularly in the Aramaic sense. Dhorme translates “It is because of that that you have been tried by affliction.” In order to keep Job from evil, he is being tested by suffering. Good News Translation expresses this notion clearly as “Your suffering was sent to keep you from it,” that is, to keep Job from doing evil.

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 .