New Living Translation

English Standard Version

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

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

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

Elihu had waited for the others to speak 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 they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.

5

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

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 in years,
and you are aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.

7

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

7

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

8

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

8

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

9

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

9

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

10

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

10

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

11

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

11

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

12

I have listened,
but not one of you has refuted Job
or 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

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

13

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

14

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

14

He has 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 are dismayed; they answer no more;
they have not a word to say.

16

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

16

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

17

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

17

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

18

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

18

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

19

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

19

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

20

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

20

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

21

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

21

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

22

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

22

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

Parallel

New Living Translation

English Standard Version

Job 32

Job 32