Job 32
Living Bible
32 The three men refused to reply further to Job because he kept insisting on his innocence.
2 Then Elihu (son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the clan of Ram) became angry because Job refused to admit he had sinned and to acknowledge that God had just cause for punishing him. 3 But he was also angry with Job’s three friends because they had been unable to answer Job’s arguments and yet had condemned him. 4 Elihu had waited until now to speak because the others were older than he.
5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily, 6 and said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back and did not dare to tell you what I think, 7 for those who are older are said to be wiser; 8-9 but it is not mere age that makes men wise. Rather, it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that makes him intelligent. 10 So listen to me awhile and let me express my opinion.
11-12 “I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, but not one of them has convinced Job that he is a sinner or has proved that he is. 13 And don’t give me that line about ‘only God can convince the sinner of his sin.’ 14 If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with that kind of logic!
15 “You sit there baffled, with no further replies. 16 Shall I then continue to wait when you are silent? 17 No, I will give my answer too. 18 For I am pent up and full of words, and the spirit within me urges me on. 19 I am like a wine cask without a vent! My words are ready to burst out! 20 I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers. 21-22 Don’t insist that I be cautious lest I insult someone, and don’t make me flatter anyone. Let me be frank lest God should strike me dead.
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
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.
Job 32
New King James Version
Elihu Contradicts Job’s Friends
32 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was (A)righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the (B)Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he (C)justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited [a]to speak to Job. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.
6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:
“I am (D)young in years, and you are very old;
Therefore I was afraid,
And dared not declare my opinion to you.
7 I said, [b]‘Age should speak,
And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8 But there is a spirit in man,
And (E)the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
9 (F)Great[c] men are not always wise,
Nor do the aged always understand justice.
10 “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me,
I also will declare my opinion.’
11 Indeed I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.
12 I paid close attention to you;
And surely not one of you convinced Job,
Or answered his words—
13 (G)Lest you say,
‘We have found wisdom’;
God will vanquish him, not man.
14 Now he has not [d]directed his words against me;
So I will not answer him with your words.
15 “They are dismayed and answer no more;
Words escape them.
16 And I have waited, because they did not speak,
Because they stood still and answered no more.
17 I also will answer my part,
I too will declare my opinion.
18 For I am full of words;
The spirit within me compels me.
19 Indeed my [e]belly is like wine that has no [f]vent;
It is ready to burst like new wineskins.
20 I will speak, that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone;
Nor let me flatter any man.
22 For I do not know how to flatter,
Else my Maker would soon take me (H)away.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
