New Living Translation

New American Standard Bible

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 in Anger Rebukes Job

Then these three men ceased answering 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

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

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

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 years 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 the three men his anger burned.

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

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

7

“I thought age should speak,
And increased years should 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 a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9

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

9

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

10

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

10

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

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 to your reasonings,
While you pondered what to say.

12

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

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

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

13

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

14

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

14

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

15

You sit there baffled,
with nothing more to say.

15

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

16

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

16

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

17

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

17

“I too will answer my share,
I also will tell 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 unvented wine,
Like new wineskins it is about to burst.

20

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

20

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

21

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

21

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

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

New American Standard Bible

Job 32

Job 32