Job 42:2-4
New English Translation
2 “I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted;
3 you asked,[a] ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’
But[b] I have declared without understanding[c]
things too wonderful for me to know.[d]
4 You said,[e] ‘Pay attention, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you will answer me.’
Footnotes
- Job 42:3 tn The expression “you asked” is added here to clarify the presence of the line to follow. Many commentators delete it as a gloss from Job 38:2. If it is retained, then Job has to be recalling God’s question before he answers it.
- Job 42:3 tn The word לָכֵן (lakhen) is simply “but,” as in Job 31:37.
- Job 42:3 tn Heb “and I do not understand.” The expression serves here in an adverbial capacity. It also could be subordinated as a complement: “I have declared [things that] I do not understand.”
- Job 42:3 tn The last clause is “and I do not know.” This is also subordinated to become a dependent clause.
- Job 42:4 tn This phrase, “you said,” is supplied in the translation to introduce the recollection of God’s words.
Job 42:2-4
English Standard Version
2 “I know that you can (A)do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 (B)‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things (C)too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
(D)I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
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