New Living Translation

New International 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

So these three men stopped 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 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying 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 was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.a

4

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

4

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

5

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

5

But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

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 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.

7

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

7

I thought, ‘Age should speak;
advanced 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 the spiritb in a person,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9

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

9

It is not only the oldc who are wise,
not only 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;
I too will tell you what I know.

11

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

11

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

12

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

12

I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
none of you has answered his arguments.

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;
let God, not a man, refute him.’

14

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

14

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

15

You sit there baffled,
with nothing more to say.

15

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

16

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

16

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

17

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

17

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

18

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

18

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

19

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

19

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

20

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

20

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

21

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

21

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

22

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

22

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

Parallel

New Living Translation

New International Version

Job 32

Job 32