68 The simple perfect verb can be used in a conditional sentence without a conditional particle present (see §159.h).
69 Job is not here saying that he has sinned; rather, he is posing the hypothetical condition—if he had sinned, what would that do to God? In other words, he has not really injured God.
70 In the Bible God is often described as watching over people to protect them from danger (see Deut 32:10; Ps 31:23). However, here it is a hostile sense, for God may detect sin and bring it to judgment.
71 This word is a from the verb פָּגָע (paga’, “meet, encounter”); it would describe what is hit or struck (as nouns of this pattern can indicate the place of the action)—the target.
72 In the prepositional phrase עָלַי (’alay) the results of a scribal change is found (these changes were called tiqqune sopherim, “corrections of the scribes” made to avoid using improper language about God). The prepositional phrase would have been עָלֶךָ (’alekha, “to you,” as in the ). But it offended the Jews to think of Job’s being burdensome to God. Job’s sin could have repercussions on him, but not on God.
73 The has, “for now I will depart to the earth.”
74 The verb שָׁחַר (shakhar) in the Piel has been translated “to seek early in the morning” because of the possible link with the word “dawn.” But the verb more properly means “to seek diligently” (by implication).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of mankind?

Why have you made me your mark?

Why have I become a burden to you?

Why do you not pardon my transgression

and take away my iniquity?

For now I shall lie in the earth;

you will seek me, but I shall not be.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

If I have sinned, what have I done to you,

you who sees everything we do?

Why have you made me your target?

Have I become a burden to you?

Why do you not pardon my offenses

and forgive my sins?

For I will soon lie down in the dust;

you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

If I have sinned, what have I done to you,

Watcher of humanity?

Why have you made me your target,

so that I have become a burden to you?

Why not forgive my sin

and pardon my iniquity?

For soon I will lie down in the grave.

You will eagerly seek me, but I will be gone.

NLTNew Living Translation

If I have sinned, what have I done to you,

O watcher of all humanity?

Why make me your target?

Am I a burden to you?

Why not just forgive my sin

and take away my guilt?

For soon I will lie down in the dust and die.

When you look for me, I will be gone.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

If I have sinned, what have I done to you, watcher of humanity?

Why have you made me as a target for yourself,

so that I have become a burden to myself?

And why do you not pardon my transgression

and take away my guilt?

For now I shall lie in the dust,

and you will seek me, but I will be no more.”

KJV 1900King James Version

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee,

O thou preserver of men?

Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee,

So that I am a burden to myself?

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression,

And take away mine iniquity?

For now shall I sleep in the dust;

And thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

Public Domain