Job 32
Modern English Version
Elihu Speaks: Job’s Three Friends Rebuked
32 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused; his wrath was aroused against Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 His wrath was aroused also against his three friends because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited until Job had spoken because they were older than he. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was aroused.
6 Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite answered:
“I am young,
and you are very old;
therefore I was afraid
and dared not show you my opinion.
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 judgment.
10 “Therefore I say,
‘Listen to me; I will also declare my opinion.’
11 Indeed, I waited for your words;
I listened to your reasons,
while you searched out what to say.
12 Yes, I paid attention to you;
and surely none of you convinced Job
or answered his words.
13 Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom’;
God will subdue him, not man.
14 Now he has not directed his words against me,
so I will not answer him with your speeches.
15 “They are amazed; they answer no more;
they cease speaking.
16 And I have waited,
(for they did not speak, but stood still and answered no more).
17 I said, ‘I also will answer my part;
I too will show my opinion.’
18 For I am full of words;
the spirit within me compels me.
19 See, my belly is like wine that has no vent;
it is ready to burst like new wineskins.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed;
I will open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone,
nor let me give flattering titles to man.
22 For I do not know how to give flattering titles;
in so doing my Maker would soon take me away.
Job 32
Authorized (King James) Version
32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 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. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. 6 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.
7 I said, Days should speak,
and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man:
and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 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.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.