New International Version

New Living Translation

Elihu

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

Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends

Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.

2

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 son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him.

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 was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made Goda appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments.

4

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

4

Elihu had waited for the others 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

But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.

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

Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,
“I am young and you are old,
so I held back from telling you what I think.

7

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

7

I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,
for wisdom comes with age.’

8

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

8

But there is a spiritb within people,
the breath of the Almighty within them,
that makes them intelligent.

9

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

9

Sometimes the elders are not wise.
Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.

10

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

10

So listen to me,
and let me tell you what I think.

11

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

11

“I have waited all this time,
listening very carefully to your arguments,
listening to you grope for words.

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 have listened,
but not one of you has refuted Job
or answered his arguments.

13

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

13

And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us.
Only God can convince him.’

14

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

14

If Job had been arguing with me,
I would not answer with your kind of logic!

15

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

15

You sit there baffled,
with nothing more to say.

16

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

16

Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent?
Must I also remain silent?

17

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

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No, I will say my piece.
I will speak my mind.

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

18

For I am full of pent-up words,
and the spirit within me urges me on.

19

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

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I am like a cask of wine without a vent,
like a new wineskin ready to burst!

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

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I must speak to find relief,
so let me give my answers.

21

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

21

I won’t play favorites
or try to flatter anyone.

22

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

22

For if I tried flattery,
my Creator would soon destroy me.

Parallel

New International Version

New Living Translation

Job 32

Job 32