New King James Version

New American Standard Bible

Elihu Contradicts Job’s Friends

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

Elihu in Anger Rebukes Job

Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God.

2

But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned because he justified himself before God.

3

Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

3

And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

4

Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited [a]to speak to Job.

4

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

5

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.

5

And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned.

6

So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:
“I am young in years, and you are very old;
Therefore I was afraid,
And dared not declare my opinion to you.

6

So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said,
“I am young in years and you are old;
Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.

7

I said, [b]‘Age should speak,
And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

7

“I thought age should speak,
And increased years should teach wisdom.

8

But there is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

8

“But it is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9

Great[c] men are not always wise,
Nor do the aged always understand justice.

9

“The abundant in years may not be wise,
Nor may elders understand justice.

10

“Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me,
I also will declare my opinion.’

10

“So I say, ‘Listen to me,
I too will tell what I think.’

11

Indeed I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.

11

“Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings,
While you pondered what to say.

12

I paid close attention to you;
And surely not one of you convinced Job,
Or answered his words —

12

“I even paid close attention to you;
Indeed, there was no one who refuted Job,
Not one of you who answered his words.

13

Lest you say,
‘We have found wisdom’;
God will vanquish him, not man.

13

“Do not say,
‘We have found wisdom;
God will rout him, not man.’

14

Now he has not [d]directed his words against me;
So I will not answer him with your words.

14

“For he has not arranged his words against me,
Nor will I reply to him with your arguments.

15

“They are dismayed and answer no more;
Words escape them.

15

“They are dismayed, they no longer answer;
Words have failed them.

16

And I have waited, because they did not speak,
Because they stood still and answered no more.

16

“Shall I wait, because they do not speak,
Because they stop and no longer answer?

17

I also will answer my part,
I too will declare my opinion.

17

“I too will answer my share,
I also will tell my opinion.

18

For I am full of words;
The spirit within me compels me.

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

19

Indeed my [e]belly is like wine that has no [f]vent;
It is ready to burst like new wineskins.

19

“Behold, my belly is like unvented wine,
Like new wineskins it is about to burst.

20

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

20

“Let me speak that I may get relief;
Let me open my lips and answer.

21

Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone;
Nor let me flatter any man.

21

“Let me now be partial to no one,
Nor flatter any man.

22

For I do not know how to flatter,
Else 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 King James Version

New American Standard Bible

Job 32

Job 32