Then call, and I will answer: in line a Job shifts the responsibility for the initiative to God. Job is ready to accuse or defend. The choice he leaves to God. Call means “tell me, speak to me, let me know.” I will answer means “I will respond, reply, be ready.” If God does not want to start the argument, then Job is willing to do so, as he says in line b, or let me speak, and do thou reply to me. Under this alternative Job is willing to speak, “state his case,” first, and God is then expected to reply. Good News Translation provides a good model for translation: “Speak first, O God, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and you answer me.” Alternatively, “God, you speak first and I will reply, or I will speak first then it is your turn.”

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 .