For the ear tests words as the palate tastes food is almost an exact quotation of the words of Job in 12.11. There these words were in the form of a question. Here they are a statement. In both passages the point is that the tongue distinguishes between good and bad tastes, and the ear does the same in distinguishing between what is wise and what is not wise. Good News Translation has translated this verse more accurately than it translated 12.11. The continuity from verse 2 to verse 3 is clear, since verse 2 ends with “give ear to” and verse 3 begins with for the ear. For discussion of this verse and for a translation model, see comments on 12.11.

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 .