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Elihu

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

2

Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.

3

He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.a

3

He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.

4

Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.

4

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.

5

But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

5

And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

6

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:
“I am young in years,
and you are old;
that is why I was fearful,
not daring to tell you what I know.

6

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:
“I am young in years,
and you are aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.

7

I thought, ‘Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.’

7

I said, ‘Let days speak,
and many years teach wisdom.’

8

But it is the spiritb in a person,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

8

But it is the spirit in man,
the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

9

It is not only the oldc who are wise,
not only the aged who understand what is right.

9

It is not the olda who are wise,
nor the aged who understand what is right.

10

“Therefore I say: Listen to me;
I too will tell you what I know.

10

Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.’

11

I waited while you spoke,
I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,

11

“Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened for your wise sayings,
while you searched out what to say.

12

I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
none of you has answered his arguments.

12

I gave you my attention,
and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job
or who answered his words.

13

Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;
let God, not a man, refute him.’

13

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;
God may vanquish him, not a man.’

14

But Job has not marshaled his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your arguments.

14

He has not directed his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your speeches.

15

“They are dismayed and have no more to say;
words have failed them.

15

“They are dismayed; they answer no more;
they have not a word to say.

16

Must I wait, now that they are silent,
now that they stand there with no reply?

16

And shall I wait, because they do not speak,
because they stand there, and answer no more?

17

I too will have my say;
I too will tell what I know.

17

I also will answer with my share;
I also will declare my opinion.

18

For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me compels me;

18

For I am full of words;
the spirit within me constrains me.

19

inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst.

19

Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;
like new wineskins ready to burst.

20

I must speak and find relief;
I must open my lips and reply.

20

I must speak, that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.

21

I will show no partiality,
nor will I flatter anyone;

21

I will not show partiality to any man
or use flattery toward any person.

22

for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker would soon take me away.

22

For I do not know how to flatter,
else my Maker would soon take me away.

Parallel

New International Version

English Standard Version

Job 32

Job 32