Job 32

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

²Then 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 .

³He 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 .

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

⁵And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men , he burned with anger .

⁶And 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.

⁷I said , Let days speak , and many years teach wisdom .

⁸But it is the spirit in man , the breath of the Almighty , that understand .

⁹It is not the old who are wise , nor the aged who understand what is right .

¹⁰Therefore I say , Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion .

¹¹Behold , I waited for your words , I listened for your wise sayings , while you searched out what to say .

¹²I gave you my attention , and, behold , there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words .

¹³Beware lest you say , We have found wisdom ; God may vanquish him, not a man .

¹⁴He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches .

¹⁵They are dismayed ; they answer no more ; they have not a word to say .

¹⁶And shall I wait , because they do not speak , because they stand there, and answer no more ?

¹⁷I also will answer with my share ; I also will declare my opinion .

¹⁸For I am full of words ; the spirit within me constrains me.

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

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

²¹I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person .

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