Job 32
World English Bible
32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
6 Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered,
“I am young, and you are very old.
Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.
7 I said, ‘Days should speak,
and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8 But there is a spirit in man,
and the Spirit[a] of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9 It is not the great who are wise,
nor the aged who understand justice.
10 Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me;
I also will show my opinion.’
11 “Behold, I waited for your words,
and I listened for your reasoning,
while you searched out what to say.
12 Yes, I gave you my full attention,
but there was no one who convinced Job,
or who answered his words, among you.
13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom.
God may refute him, not man;’
14 for he has not directed his words against me;
neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 “They are amazed. They answer no more.
They don’t have a word to say.
16 Shall I wait, because they don’t speak,
because they stand still, and answer no more?
17 I also will answer my part,
and I also will show my opinion.
18 For I am full of words.
The spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent;
like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed.
I will open my lips and answer.
21 Please don’t let me respect any man’s person,
neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
22 For I don’t know how to give flattering titles,
or else my Maker would soon take me away.
Footnotes
- 32:8 or, breath
Job 32
Common English Bible
Introduction of Elihu
32 These three men stopped answering Job because he thought he was righteous.[a] 2 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the clan of Ram was angry, angry with Job because he considered himself more righteous than God. 3 He was also angry with his three friends because they hadn’t found an answer but nevertheless thought Job wicked. 4 Elihu had waited while Job spoke, for they were older than he. 5 When Elihu saw that there had been no response in the speeches of the three men, he became very angry.
Elihu’s justification for speaking
6 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said:
I’m young and you’re old,
so I held back, afraid to express my opinion to you.
7 I thought, Let days speak;
let multiple years make wisdom known.
8 But the spirit in a person,
the Almighty’s breath, gives understanding.
9 The advanced in days aren’t wise;
the old don’t understand what’s right.
10 Therefore, I say: “Listen to me;
I’ll state my view, even I.”
11 Look, I waited while you spoke,
listened while you reasoned,
while you searched for words.
12 I was attentive to you,
but you offered no rebuke to Job,
no answer from you for his words.
13 Be careful you don’t say, “We’ve found wisdom;
God, not a person, will defeat him.”
14 Now Job[b] hasn’t addressed me,
and I won’t quote you to him.
15 They are troubled, no longer answer;
words now escape them.
16 I waited, but they didn’t speak,
for they stood but answered no more.
17 I will answer. Indeed, I will state[c] my piece;
I too will declare my view,
18 for I’m full of words.
The spirit in my belly compels me.
19 Look, my belly is like unopened wine;
like new wineskins it will burst.
20 I will speak and get relief;
I will open my lips and respond.
21 I won’t be partial to anyone,
won’t flatter a person;
22 for I don’t know flattery;
otherwise my maker would quickly whisk me away.
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