For truly my words are not false serves to certify that Elihu’s words are to be accepted as true. Elihu is no stranger to immodest assurances about himself. Bible en français courant translates the line as a positive statement: “What I have to say is the pure truth.” It is because Elihu’s words are not false that he is qualified to speak for God, or to represent God in Job’s legal dispute with God. In some languages the line may be rendered idiomatically; for example, “I assure you my mouth speaks with one tongue” or “It is so that my words are all straight.”

One who is perfect in knowledge is with you refers to Elihu himself, the same as in the previous line. Perfect in knowledge is used in 37.16, where it refers to God. Perfect translates a word meaning “complete” and is used in 1.1, and also in 1.8 and 2.3, where God uses the word to characterize Job. There it is translated “blameless” (Revised Standard Version) and “faithful” (Good News Translation). Used in relation to knowledge the meaning has to do with the degree of knowledge Elihu claims. Good News Translation says “a truly wise man,” Bible en français courant “a man certain in his subject,” Habel “perfect in reasoning,” New English Bible “one whose conclusions are sound.” We may also translate, for example, “a man whose knowledge is the highest” or “who has the best knowledge.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .