23:18 Yet which of them has ever stood in the Lord’s inner circle 1
so they 2 could see and hear what he has to say? 3
Which of them have ever paid attention or listened to what he has said?
23:22 But if they had stood in my inner circle, 4
they would have proclaimed my message to my people.
They would have caused my people to turn from their wicked ways
and stop doing the evil things they are doing.
1 tn Or “has been the
2 tn The form here is a jussive with a vav of subordination introducing a purpose after a question (cf. GKC 322 §109.f).
3 tc Heb “his word.” In the second instance (“what he has said” at the end of the verse) the translation follows the suggestion of the Masoretes (Qere) and many Hebrew
4 tn Or “had been my confidant.” See the note on v. 18.