Job 20:11-13

New English Translation

¹¹His bones^[a] were full of his youthful vigor,^[b]
but that vigor will lie down with him in the dust.
¹²“If^[c] evil is sweet in his mouth

and he hides it under his tongue,^[d]
¹³if he retains it for himself
and does not let it go,
and holds it fast in his mouth,^[e]

Job 20:11 tn “Bones” is often used metonymically for the whole person, the bones being the framework, meaning everything inside, as well as the body itself.
Job 20:11 sn This line means that he dies prematurely—at the height of his youthful vigor.
Job 20:12 tn The conjunction אִם (ʾim) introduces clauses that are conditional or concessive. With the imperfect verb in the protasis it indicates what is possible in the present or future. See GKC 496 §159.q).
Job 20:12 sn The wicked person holds on to evil as long as he can, savoring the taste or the pleasure of it.
Job 20:13 tn Heb “in the middle of his palate.”

New English Translation (NET)