Job 32
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends
32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.(A) 2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God;(B) 3 he was angry also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong.[a](C) 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.
6 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered:
“I am young in years,
and you are aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.(D)
7 I said, ‘Let days speak
and many years teach wisdom.’
8 But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,
the breath of the Almighty[b] that makes for understanding.(E)
9 It is not the old[c] who are wise
nor the aged who understand what is right.(F)
10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.’
11 “See, I waited for your words;
I listened for your wise sayings
while you searched out what to say.(G)
12 I gave you my attention,
but there was, in fact, no one who confuted Job,
no one among you who answered his words.
13 Yet do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;
God may vanquish him, not a human.’(H)
14 He has not directed his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your speeches.
15 “They are dismayed; they answer no more;
they have not a word to say.
16 And am I to wait because they do not speak,
because they stand there and answer no more?
17 I also will give my answer;
I also will declare my opinion.
18 For I am full of words;
the spirit within me constrains me.(I)
19 My belly is indeed like wine that has no vent;
like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.(J)
20 I must speak, so that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
21 I will not show partiality to any person
or use flattery toward anyone.(K)
22 For I do not know how to flatter—
or my Maker would soon put an end to me!(L)
Job 32
International Standard Version
Elihu Addresses Job and His Friends
32 These three men stopped responding to Job, because he was claiming to be righteous, in his own opinion.[a] 2 But then Barachel’s son Elihu from Buz, one of Ram’s descendants, got really angry. He was furious with Job because he had been declaring himself righteous instead of vindicating God. 3 Furthermore, he was furious with his three friends because they had not answered Job, but instead had condemned him. 4 Elihu waited to have a word with Job, since the others were older than he, 5 but when he saw that there had been no response[b] from those three, he got even more angry. 6 Barachel’s son Elihu from Buz responded and said:
“I’m younger than you are.
Because you’re older,[c] I was terrified
to tell you what I know.
7 I thought, experience[d] should speak;
abundance of years teaches wisdom.
8 However, a spirit exists in mankind,
and the Almighty’s breath gives him insight.”
There’s No Fool Like an Old Fool
9 “The aged aren’t always wise,
nor do the elderly always understand justice.
10 Therefore I’m saying, ‘Listen to me!’
Then I’ll declare what I know.
11 “Look! I have waited to hear your speech,
so I listened to your insights
while you searched for the right words to say.[e]
12 Indeed, I paid close attention to you all,
but none of you were able to refute[f] Job
or answer his arguments convincingly.
13 “So that you cannot claim, ‘We have found wisdom!’
let God do the rebuking, not man;
14 let him not direct a rebuke toward me.
I won’t be responding to him with your arguments.
15 “Job’s friends[g] won’t reason with him anymore;
discouraged, words escape them.
16 Shall I continue to wait, since they’re no longer talking?
After all, they’re only standing there;
they’re no longer responding.
17 “I will contribute my arguments[h] as an answer;
I’ll declare what I know,
18 because I’m filled with things to say,
and my spirit within me compels me to speak.[i]
19 My insides feel like unvented wine,
like it’s about to burst like a new wineskin.
20 “Let me speak! I need relief!
Let me open my lips and respond.
21 I won’t discriminate against anyone,
and I won’t flatter any person,
22 since I don’t know the first thing about how to flatter;
and the one who made me would sweep me away
as if I were nothing.”
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
