Job 20:5

that the elation of the wicked is brief, ¹  the joy of the godless ²  lasts but a moment. ³ 

that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?

the triumph of the wicked has been short–lived and the joy of the godless has been only temporary?

The good times of the wicked are short-lived; godless joy is only momentary.

That the pride of the sinner is short, and the joy of the evil-doer but for a minute?

that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless is but for a moment?

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?

that the elation of the wicked is brief, ¹  the joy of the godless ²  lasts but a moment. ³ 

¹ tn The expression in the text is “quite near.” This indicates that it is easily attained, and that its end is near.

² tn For the discussion of חָנֵף (khanef, “godless”) see Job 8:13.

³ tn The phrase is “until a moment,” meaning it is short-lived. But see J. Barr, “Hebrew ’ad, especially at Job 1:18 and Neh 7:3,” JSS 27 (1982): 177-88.