Job 15:5

15:5 Your sin inspires ¹  your mouth;

you choose the language ²  of the crafty. ³ 

Job 33:33

33:33 If not, you listen to me;

be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

[15:5]  ¹ tn The verb אַלֵּף (’allef) has the meaning of “to teach; to instruct,” but it is unlikely that the idea of revealing is intended. If the verb is understood metonymically, then “to inspire; to prompt” will be sufficient. Dahood and others find another root, and render the verb “to increase,” reversing subject and object: “your mouth increases your iniquity.”

[15:5]  ² tn Heb “tongue.”

[15:5]  ³ tn The word means “shrewd; crafty; cunning” (see Gen 3:1). Job uses clever speech that is misleading and destructive.