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 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.(A)
I said, ‘Let days speak
    and many years teach wisdom.’
But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,
    the breath of the Almighty[a] that makes for understanding.(B)
It is not the old[b] who are wise
    nor the aged who understand what is right.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 32.8 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai
  2. 32.9 Gk Syr Vg: Heb many