OET interlinear JOB 31:29

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

וְ֝⁠הִתְעֹרַ֗רְתִּי

(Some words not found in UHB: if rejoiced in,the_disaster_of of,[one_who]_hated_me and,I_excited_myself that/for/because/then/when it,had_found_him evil )

This expression means to consider oneself in a better position than another who has suffered a misfortune. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [or gloated]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

כִּֽי־מְצָ֥א⁠וֹ רָֽע

(Some words not found in UHB: if rejoiced in,the_disaster_of of,[one_who]_hated_me and,I_excited_myself that/for/because/then/when it,had_found_him evil )

Job is speaking of evil as if it were a living thing that could have found someone who hated him. Here the word evil has the sense of “misfortune” rather than of moral wrong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [because he suffered misfortune]

Note 3 topic: writing-oathformula

כִּֽי־מְצָ֥א⁠וֹ רָֽע

(Some words not found in UHB: if rejoiced in,the_disaster_of of,[one_who]_hated_me and,I_excited_myself that/for/because/then/when it,had_found_him evil )

This is the conclusion of an oath that Job is swearing in this verse. See what you did in 31:25, where Job similarly does not state the second part of the condition in an oath that he is swearing. Alternate translation: [because evil found him, then judges would certainly punish such iniquity] or [because evil found him, then I would certainly deserve punishment]