Job 14:6

Look away from him and let him desist, ¹  until he fulfills ²  his time like a hired man.

So look away from him and let him alone, till he has put in his time like a hired man.

"Turn Your gaze from him that he may rest, Until he fulfills his day like a hired man.

So give us a little rest, won’t you? Turn away your angry stare. We are like hired hands, so let us finish the task you have given us.

So why not give us a break? Ease up! Even ditchdiggers get occasional days off.

Let your eyes be turned away from him, and take your hand from him, so that he may have pleasure at the end of his day, like a servant working for payment.

look away from them, and desist, that they may enjoy, like laborers, their days.

Look away from him that he may rest, Till like a hired man he finishes his day.

Look away from him and let him desist, ¹  until he fulfills ²  his time like a hired man.

¹ tn The verb חָדַל (khadal) means “to desist; to cease.” The verb would mean here “and let him desist,” which some take to mean “and let him rest.” But since this is rather difficult in the line, commentators have suggested other meanings. Several emend the text slightly to make it an imperative rather than an imperfect; this is then translated “and desist.” The expression “from him” must be added. Another suggestion that is far-fetched is that of P. J. Calderone (“CHDL-II in poetic texts,” CBQ 23 [1961]: 451-60) and D. W. Thomas (VTSup 4 [1957]: 8-16), having a new meaning of “be fat.”

² tn There are two roots רָצַה (ratsah). The first is the common word, meaning “to delight in; to have pleasure in.” The second, most likely used here, means “to pay; to acquit a debt” (cf. Lev 26:34, 41, 43). Here with the mention of the simile with the hired man, the completing of the job is in view.