Job 20:18

He gives back the ill-gotten gain ¹  without assimilating it; ²  he will not enjoy the wealth from his commerce. ³ 

What he toiled for he must give back uneaten; he will not enjoy the profit from his trading.

"He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow it; As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy them.

His labors will not be rewarded. His wealth will bring him no joy.

They spit out their food half-chewed, unable to relax and enjoy anything they've worked for.

He is forced to give back the fruit of his work, and may not take it for food; he has no joy in the profit of his trading.

They will give back the fruit of their toil, and will not swallow it down; from the profit of their trading they will get no enjoyment.

He will restore that for which he labored, And will not swallow it down; From the proceeds of business He will get no enjoyment.

He gives back the ill-gotten gain ¹  without assimilating it; ²  he will not enjoy the wealth from his commerce. ³ 

¹ tn The idea is the fruit of his evil work. The word יָגָע (yaga’) occurs only here; it must mean ill-gotten gains. The verb is in 10:3.

² tn Heb “and he does not swallow.” In the context this means “consume” for his own pleasure and prosperity. The verbal clause is here taken adverbially.

³ sn The expression is “according to the wealth of his exchange.” This means he cannot enjoy whatever he gained in his business deals. Some mss have בּ (bet) preposition, making the translation easier; but this is evidence of a scribal correction.