So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:

“I am young in years,
    and you are old;(A)
that is why I was fearful,
    not daring to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Age should speak;
    advanced years should teach wisdom.’(B)
But it is the spirit[a](C) in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty,(D) that gives them understanding.(E)
It is not only the old[b] who are wise,(F)
    not only the aged(G) who understand what is right.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 32:8 Or Spirit; also in verse 18
  2. Job 32:9 Or many; or great

Elihu’s justification for speaking

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.
I thought, Let days speak;
    let multiple years make wisdom known.
But the spirit in a person,
    the Almighty’s breath, gives understanding.
The advanced in days aren’t wise;
    the old don’t understand what’s right.

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