Job 32
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was [rigidly] righteous (upright and in right standing with God) in his own eyes. [But there was a fifth man there also.]
2 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became indignant. His indignation was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God [even made himself out to be better than God].
3 Also against [Job’s] three friends was [Elihu’s] anger kindled, because they had found no answer [were unable to show his real error], and yet they had declared him to be in the wrong [and responsible for his own afflictions].
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others 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 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said, I am young, and you are aged; for that reason I was timid and restrained and dared not declare my opinion to you.
7 I said, Age should speak, and a multitude of years should teach wisdom [so let it be heard].
8 But there is [a vital force] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives men understanding.(A)
9 It is not the great [necessarily] who are wise, nor [always] the aged who understand justice.
10 So I say, Listen to me; I also will give you my opinion [about Job’s situation] and my knowledge.
11 You see, I waited for your words, I listened to your wise reasons, while you searched out what to say.
12 Yes, I paid attention to what you said, and behold, not one of you convinced Job or made [satisfactory] replies to his words [you could not refute him].
13 Beware lest you say, We have found wisdom; God thrusts [Job] down [justly], not man [God alone is dealing with him].
14 Now [Job] has not directed his words against me [therefore I have no cause for irritation], neither will I answer him with speeches like yours. [I speak for truth, not for revenge.]
15 [Job’s friends] are amazed and embarrassed, they answer no more; they have not a thing to say [reports Elihu].
16 And shall I wait, because they say nothing but stand still and answer no more?
17 I also will answer my [God-assigned] part; I also will declare my opinion and my knowledge.
18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
19 My breast is as wine that has no vent; like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.
20 I must speak, that I may get relief and be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.
21 I will not [I warn you] be influenced by respect for any man’s person and show partiality, neither will I flatter any man.
22 For I know not how to flatter, [wasting my time in mere formalities, for then] 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.
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
