New Living Translation

Darby Bible Translation

Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends

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

1

Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends

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

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.

2

Then was kindled the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his anger kindled, because he justified himself rather than God;

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.

3

and against his three friends was his anger kindled, because they found no answer, and [yet] condemned Job.

4

Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he.

4

But Elihu had waited till Job had finished speaking, because they were older than he.

5

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

5

And Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger was kindled.

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.

6

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are aged; wherefore I was timid, and feared to shew you what I know.

7

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

7

I said, Let days speak, and multitude of years teach wisdom.

8

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

8

But there is a spirit which is in man; and the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

9

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

9

It is not the great that are wise; neither do the aged understand judgment.

10

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

10

Therefore I say, Hearken to me; I also will shew what I know.

11

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

11

Lo, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasonings, until ye searched out what to say.

12

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

12

Yea, I gave you mine attention, and behold, there was none of you that confuted Job, that answered his words;

13

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

13

That ye may not say, We have found out wisdom; God will make him yield, not man.

14

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

14

Now he hath not directed [his] words against me; and I will not answer him with your speeches. ...

15

You sit there baffled,
with nothing more to say.

15

They were amazed, they answered no more; words failed them.

16

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

16

And I waited, for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more; --

17

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

17

I will answer, I also in my turn, I also will shew what I know:

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

18

For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

19

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

19

Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; like new flasks, it is ready to burst.

20

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

20

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

21

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

21

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither will I give flattery to man.

22

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

22

For I know not how to flatter; my Maker would soon take me away.

Parallel

New Living Translation

Darby Bible Translation

Job 32

Job 32