21:13 They live out 1 their years in prosperity
and go down 2 to the grave 3 in peace.
21:14 So they say to God, ‘Turn away from us!
We do not want to 4 know your ways. 5
1 tc The Kethib has “they wear out” but the Qere and the versions have יְכַלּוּ (yÿkhallu, “bring to an end”). The verb כָּלָה (kalah) means “to finish; to complete,” and here with the object “their days,” it means that they bring their life to a (successful) conclusion. Both readings are acceptable in the context, with very little difference in the overall meaning (which according to Gordis is proof the Qere does not always correct the Kethib).
2 tc The MT has יֵחָתּוּ (yekhattu, “they are frightened [or broken]”), taking the verb from חָתַת (khatat, “be terrified”). But most would slightly repoint it to יֵחָתוּ (yekhatu), an Aramaism, “they go down,” from נָחַת (nakhat, “go down”). See Job 17:16.
3 tn The word רֶגַע (rega’) has been interpreted as “in a moment” or “in peace” (on the basis of Arabic raja`a, “return to rest”). Gordis thinks this is a case of talhin – both meanings present in the mind of the writer.
4 tn The absence of the preposition before the complement adds greater vividness to the statement: “and knowing your ways – we do not desire.”
5 sn Contrast Ps 25:4, which affirms that walking in God’s ways means to obey God’s will – the Torah.