13:7 Will you speak wickedly 1 on God’s behalf? 2
Will you speak deceitfully for him?
13:8 Will you show him partiality? 3
Will you argue the case 4 for God?
1 tn The construction literally reads “speak iniquity.” The form functions adverbially. The noun עַוְלָה (’avlah) means “perversion; injustice; iniquity; falsehood.” Here it is parallel to רְמִיָּה (rÿmiyyah, “fraud; deceit; treachery”).
2 tn The expression “for God” means “in favor of God” or “on God’s behalf.” Job is amazed that they will say false things on God’s behalf.
3 sn The idiom used here is “Will you lift up his face?” Here Job is being very sarcastic, for this expression usually means that a judge is taking a bribe. Job is accusing them of taking God’s side.
4 tn The same root is used here (רִיב, riv, “dispute, contention”) as in v. 6b (see note).