For I do not know how to use flattery; if I did, my Maker would soon take me away, asserting that Elihu's inability or unwillingness to flatter is so fundamental that flattery would merit divine punishment. The not knowing how to flatter suggests either incapability or principled refusal. The punishment by the Maker suggests that flattery would offend God. The verse emphasizes that truth-telling is so important to Elihu that he invokes divine judgment against himself if he falters.

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