Job 31:23

For the calamity from God was a terror to me, ¹  and by reason of his majesty ²  I was powerless.

For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendour I could not do such things.

"For calamity from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty I can do nothing.

That would be better than facing the judgment sent by God. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?

The fear of God has kept me from these things--how else could I ever face him?

For the fear of God kept me back, and because of his power I might not do such things.

For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty.

For destruction from God is a terror to me, And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.

For the calamity from God was a terror to me, ¹  and by reason of his majesty ²  I was powerless.

¹ tc The LXX has “For the terror of God restrained me.” Several commentators changed it to “came upon me.” Driver had “The fear of God was burdensome.” I. Eitan suggested “The terror of God was mighty upon me” (“Two unknown verbs: etymological studies,” JBL 42 [1923]: 22-28). But the MT makes clear sense as it stands.

² tn The form is וּמִשְּׂאֵתוֹ (umissÿ’eto); the preposition is causal. The form, from the verb נָשָׂא (nasa’, “to raise; to lift high”), refers to God’s exalted person, his majesty (see Job 13:11).