Job 14:16

“Surely now you count my steps; ²  then you would not mark ³  my sin. ⁴ 

Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin.

"For now You number my steps, You do not observe my sin.

For then you would count my steps, instead of watching for my sins.

You'll watch over every step I take, but you won't keep track of my missteps.

For now my steps are numbered by you, and my sin is not overlooked.

For then you would not number my steps, you would not keep watch over my sin;

For now You number my steps, But do not watch over my sin.

“Surely now you count my steps; ²  then you would not mark ³  my sin. ⁴ 

¹ sn The hope for life after death is supported now by a description of the severity with which God deals with people in this life.

² tn If v. 16a continues the previous series, the translation here would be “then” (as in RSV). Others take it as a new beginning to express God’s present watch over Job, and interpret the second half of the verse as a question, or emend it to say God does not pass over his sins.

³ sn Compare Ps 130:3-4, which says, “If you should mark iniquity O Lord, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, in order that you might be feared.”

⁴ tn The second colon of the verse can be contrasted with the first, the first being the present reality and the second the hope looked for in the future. This seems to fit the context well without making any changes at all.