36:17 But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked,
judgment and justice take hold of you.
36:18 Be careful that 1 no one entices you with riches;
do not let a large bribe 2 turn you aside.
36:19 Would your wealth 3 sustain you,
so that you would not be in distress, 4
even all your mighty efforts? 5
1 tn The first expression is idiomatic: the text says, “because wrath lest it entice you” – thus, beware.
2 tn The word is כֹּפֶר (kofer), often translated “ransom,” but frequently in the sense of a bribe.
3 tn The form in the MT is “your cry (for help).” See J. E. Hartley (Job [NICOT], 472-73) and E. Dhorme (Job, 547-48) on the difficulties.
4 tn This part has only two words לֹא בְצָר (lo’ bÿtsar, “not in distress”). The negated phrase serves to explain the first colon.
5 tc For the many suggestions and the reasoning here, see the commentaries.