Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me…’: Elihu now sums up: “This is the reason,” “This is why,” “In view of this.” Listen is singular, which would imply that Elihu is addressing Job. The ancient versions and two Hebrew manuscripts have the plural, and it is more probable from the context that Elihu is speaking to both Job and the friends. Translators will note that Revised Standard Version has translated as direct speech where Good News Translation has used indirect speech. Whether to use direct or indirect in translation will depend on considerations of style and context.

Let me also declare my opinion: this line is similar to verse 6b. What Elihu wishes to say is more than opinion; it is his “knowledge”; that is, “Let me tell you what I know.”

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 .