This verse appears to some as a natural conclusion and climax of Job’s final speech (chapters 29–31). Verses 38-40 that now form the conclusion appear to be out of place, but translators are not agreed where else they should be inserted. New Jerusalem Bible puts them after verse 15; New English Bible after verse 28; Pope and New American Bible after verse 8; Dhorme after verse 32; Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch between verses 34 and 35; and Moffatt between verses 22 and 24. However, the position taken by the Handbook, following Habel’s outline, is that verse 37 is the end of the inner frame, and verses 38-40 make up the end of the outer frame. Therefore there is no need to change the position of any verse. See the introduction to chapter 31, page 558.

I would give him an account of all my steps: in 14.16 and 31.4 Job accepts that God counts his steps as expressing the totality of Job’s actions. As Good News Translation says, “I would tell God everything I have done.” In some languages one may be able to stay closer to the Hebrew form than Good News Translation does by saying, for example, “I would report to him every step I have taken” or “I would explain to him every thing I have done.”

Like a prince I would approach him: prince translates a word meaning “chief, leader, or ruler,” one who is in control. Nowhere else in the Old Testament is anyone said to approach God like a prince. The simile refers to the attitude of someone who has no reason to feel guilty or debased by his wrong, and is symbolized in Good News Translation as “hold my head high in his presence.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “with dignity,” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “and approach him like a prince without fear.” Also possible are “I would present myself to him like a chief who is not afraid” or “I would stand before him like a proud leader.”

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 .