This was a sign of respect. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
# they would lay their hand on their mouths
They did this to show that they would not speak. This was a sign of their respect for Job. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
# The voices of the noblemen were hushed
This can be stated in active form. AT: "The noblemen hushed their voices" or "The noblemen stopped speaking" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
This represents them having so much respect for Job that they had nothing to say. AT: "they felt that they were unable to speak" or "they had nothing to say" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])