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

Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, was kindled; 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 until Job had spoken because they were all elder than he.

But 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 younger, and ye are older; therefore, I was afraid, and I feared to declare unto you my opinion.

I said, Days shall speak, and the multitude of years shall declare wisdom.

Certainly there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding.

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

10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will declare my knowledge.

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

12 Even so, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you to reprove Job or to answer his words.

13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom; it is needful that God thrust him down, and not man.

14 Now he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your reasons.

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

16 And I waited, (for they did not speak, but stopped, and answered no more);

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

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

19 Behold, my belly is as wine which has no vent; it is ready to burst forth like spirits.

20 I will speak, that I may be able to breathe; I will open my lips and answer.

21 I will not now be a respecter of persons, neither will I give flattering titles unto man.

22 For I do not know how to give flattering titles; otherwise my maker would soon take me away.

Elihu

32 So these three men stopped answering Job,(A) because he was righteous in his own eyes.(B) But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,(C) of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself(D) rather than God.(E) He was also angry with the three friends,(F) because they had found no way to refute Job,(G) and yet had condemned him.[a](H) Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.(I) But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:

“I am young in years,
    and you are old;(J)
that is why I was fearful,
    not daring to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Age should speak;
    advanced years should teach wisdom.’(K)
But it is the spirit[b](L) in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty,(M) that gives them understanding.(N)
It is not only the old[c] who are wise,(O)
    not only the aged(P) who understand what is right.(Q)

10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me;(R)
    I too will tell you what I know.(S)
11 I waited while you spoke,
    I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
12     I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
    none of you has answered his arguments.(T)
13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;(U)
    let God, not a man, refute(V) him.’
14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,(W)
    and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say;
    words have failed them.(X)
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent,
    now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I too will have my say;
    I too will tell what I know.(Y)
18 For I am full of words,
    and the spirit(Z) within me compels me;(AA)
19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
    like new wineskins ready to burst.(AB)
20 I must speak and find relief;
    I must open my lips and reply.(AC)
21 I will show no partiality,(AD)
    nor will I flatter anyone;(AE)
22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
    my Maker(AF) would soon take me away.(AG)

Footnotes

  1. Job 32:3 Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God
  2. Job 32:8 Or Spirit; also in verse 18
  3. Job 32:9 Or many; or great