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
Complete Jewish Bible
32 So these three men stopped trying to answer Iyov, because he remained convinced of his own righteousness.
2 But then the anger of Elihu the son of Barakh’el the Buzi, from the family of Ram, blazed up against Iyov for thinking he was right and God wrong. 3 His anger also blazed up against his three friends, because they had found no answer to Iyov but condemned him anyway. 4 Elihu had waited to speak to Iyov because they were older than he; 5 however, when Elihu saw that these three had no answer, his anger flared up. 6 Elihu the son of Barakh’el the Buzi said:
“I am young, and you are old,
so I held back from telling you my opinion.
7 I said, ‘Age should speak;
an abundance of years should teach wisdom.’
8 But it is the spirit in a person, the breath from Shaddai,
that gives him understanding —
9 it isn’t [only] the great who are wise
or the aged who know how to judge.
10 Therefore, I say, listen to me;
I too will express my opinion.
11 “Here, I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasoning,
as you were searching for what to say.
12 I paid attention to you,
but none of you convicted Iyov
or refuted his arguments.
13 So don’t say, ‘We found the wise course —
Let God defeat him, not a human being.’
14 For he did not direct his words against me,
and I won’t answer him with your arguments.
15 “They are confused, they don’t reply,
words have failed them.
16 But must I wait just because they don’t speak,
just because they stand there, stuck for an answer?
17 No, I will now give my answer;
I too will express my opinion.
18 For I am full of words;
the spirit within me compels me.
19 Yes, my insides feel like new wine under pressure,
like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I must speak, to find relief;
I will open my lips and answer.
21 I will show no favor to anyone,
and I will flatter no one;
22 I don’t know how to flatter;
if I did, my maker would soon put an end to me.
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 © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.