Job 21:13

They live out ¹  their years in prosperity and go down ²  to the grave ³  in peace.

They spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace.

"They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol.

They spend their days in prosperity; then they go down to the grave in peace.

They have a long life on easy street, and die painlessly in their sleep.

Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.

They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol.

They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave.

They live out ¹  their years in prosperity and go down ²  to the grave ³  in peace.

¹ tc The Kethib has “they wear out” but the Qere and the versions have יְכַלּוּ (yÿkhallu, “bring to an end”). The verb כָּלָה (kalah) means “to finish; to complete,” and here with the object “their days,” it means that they bring their life to a (successful) conclusion. Both readings are acceptable in the context, with very little difference in the overall meaning (which according to Gordis is proof the Qere does not always correct the Kethib).

² tc The MT has יֵחָתּוּ (yekhattu, “they are frightened [or broken]”), taking the verb from חָתַת (khatat, “be terrified”). But most would slightly repoint it to יֵחָתוּ (yekhatu), an Aramaism, “they go down,” from נָחַת (nakhat, “go down”). See Job 17:16.

³ tn The word רֶגַע (rega’) has been interpreted as “in a moment” or “in peace” (on the basis of Arabic raja`a, “return to rest”). Gordis thinks this is a case of talhin – both meanings present in the mind of the writer.