Behold, I have prepared my case: Behold translates here two Hebrew forms in which the first acts as an imperative, and in which the combined sense is “look here, see now,” or “attention please.” Prepared translates an expression drawn from marshaling troops in battle formation. Applied to Job’s words it refers to arranging the thoughts and words that Job will use to argue his case. My case refers to a case in law or a lawsuit: “Pay attention. I have lined up the arguments for my defense,” “Listen carefully because I have put together all the arguments in my case.”

I know that I shall be vindicated: vindicated translates the word used in 9.15 (“innocent”); 11.2 and means “to be right, innocent of wrong, not guilty.” The line may also be expressed, for example, “I know that God will declare me innocent of wrongdoing” or “I know that God will say to me, ‘Job, you are not guilty.’ ”

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 .