# Connecting Statement:

Job continues to speak to his friends.

# Would it really be good for you when he searches you out?

Here "searches you out" is a metaphor meaning "examines you." Job uses this question to warn his friends that if God were to examine them, he would say that what they are doing is wrong. AT: "If God were to examine you, it would not be good for you." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# Could you deceive him as you might deceive men?

Job uses this question to warn his friends that God knows the truth about them. AT: "You might be able to deceive men, but you cannot deceive God." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# reprove you

"rebuke you"

# if in secret you showed partiality

"if you secretly show favor to another." Showing partiality refers to saying only good things about someone so that the judge will say that the person is good. Doing this in secret means pretending to speak fairly, but really favoring one person over another.