Job32

¹ So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

² 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.

³ Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

⁴ Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job.

⁵ When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.

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.

⁷ I said, ‘Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

⁸ But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

⁹ Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.

¹⁰ “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’

¹¹ Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.

¹² I paid close attention to you; And surely not one of you convinced Job, Or answered his words—

¹³ Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom’; God will vanquish him, not man.

¹⁴ Now he has not directed his words against me; So I will not answer him with your words.

¹⁵ “They are dismayed and answer no more; Words escape them.

¹⁶ And I have waited, because they did not speak, Because they stood still and answered no more.

¹⁷ I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion.

¹⁸ For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me.

¹⁹ Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like new wineskins.

²⁰ I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.

²¹ Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man.

²² For I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon take me away.