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32 So these shloshet ha’anashim ceased to answer Iyov, because he was tzaddik in his eyes.

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu ben Barachel the Buzi, of the mishpochah Ram; against Iyov was his wrath kindled, because Iyov justified his nefesh rather than Elohim.

Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no ma’aneh (refutation, answer), and yet had condemned Iyov.

Now Elihu had waited till Iyov had spoken, because they were elder than he.

When Elihu saw that there was no ma’aneh in the mouth of these shloshet ha’anashim, then his wrath was kindled.

And Elihu ben Barachel the Buzi answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and dared not tell you of what I have da’as.

I said, Yamim should speak, and multitude of shanim should teach chochmah.

But there is a ruach in enosh, and the neshamat Shaddai giveth them binah.

Great men are not always wise, neither do the zekenim understand mishpat.

10 Therefore I said, Pay heed to me; I also will tell of what I have da’as.

11 Hen (behold), I waited for your dvarim; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, hinei, there was none of you that proved Iyov wrong, or that answered his words.

13 Yet do not say, We have found chochmah; El may vanquish him, lo ish (not man).

14 Now he hath not directed his millin (words) against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 They were amazed; they answered no od (more); they left off speaking.

16 When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no od [more]);

17 I said, I will answer also my chelek (portion); I also will show of mine da’as.

18 For I am full of millim (words), the ruach within me compelleth me.

19 Hinei, my beten is like yayin which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like ovot chadashim (new wineskins).

20 I will speak that I may be relieved; I will open my sfatayim and answer.

21 Let me not, now, show any man partiality, neither let me flatter adam.

22 For I am not skilled in flattery; in so doing Oseini (my Maker) would soon take me away.

Elihu’s Angry Response

32 So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.(A) Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite(B) from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified(C) himself rather than God. He was also angry at Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him.[a]

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he. But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry.

So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite replied:

I am young in years,
while you are old;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to tell(D) you what I know.
I thought that age should speak
and maturity should teach wisdom.
But it is a spirit in man[b]
and the breath(E) of the Almighty
that give him understanding.
It is not only the old who are wise
or the elderly who understand how to judge.
10 Therefore I say, “Listen to me.
I too will declare what I know.”
11 Look, I waited for your conclusions;
I listened to your insights
as you sought for words.
12 I paid close attention to you.
Yet no one proved Job wrong;
not one of you refuted his arguments.
13 So do not claim, “We have found wisdom;
let God deal with him, not man.”
14 But Job has not directed his argument to me,
and I will not respond to him with your arguments.

15 Job’s friends are dismayed and can no longer answer;
words have left them.
16 Should I continue to wait now that they are silent,
now that they stand there and no longer answer?
17 I too will answer;[c]
yes, I will tell what I know.
18 For I am full of words,
and my spirit[d] compels me to speak.(F)
19 My heart[e] is like unvented wine;
it is about to burst like new wineskins.(G)
20 I must speak so that I can find relief;
I must open my lips and respond.
21 I will be partial to no one,(H)
and I will not give anyone an undeserved title.
22 For I do not know how to give such titles;
otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.

Footnotes

  1. Job 32:3 Ancient Jewish tradition reads condemned God
  2. Job 32:8 Or is the Spirit in a person
  3. Job 32:17 Lit answer my part
  4. Job 32:18 Lit and the spirit of my belly
  5. Job 32:19 Lit belly

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

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

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

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

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

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.