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32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself.

And Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, was angry and was moved to indignation: now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God.

And he was angry with his friends because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.

So Eliu waited while Job was speaking, because they were his elders that were speaking.

But when he saw that the three were not able to answer, he was exceedingly angry.

Then Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: I am younger in days, and you are more ancient; therefore hanging down my head, I was afraid to shew you my opinion.

For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom.

But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.

They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment.

10 Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will shew you my wisdom.

11 For I have waited for your words, I have given ear to your wisdom, as long as you were disputing in words.

12 And as long as I thought you said some thing, I considered: but, as I see, there is none of you that can convince Job, and answer his words.

13 Lest you should say: We have found wisdom, God hath cast him down, not man.

14 He hath spoken nothing to me, and I will not answer him according to your words.

15 They were afraid, and answered no more, and they left off speaking.

16 Therefore because I have waited, and they have not spoken: they stood, and answered no more:

17 I also will answer my part, and will shew my knowledge.

18 For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth me.

19 Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new vessels.

20 I will speak and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer.

21 I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man.

22 For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my Maker may take me away.

33 Hear therefore, O Job, my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

Behold now I have opened my mouth, let my tongue speak within my jaws.

My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence.

The spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life.

If thou canst, answer me, and stand up against my face.

Behold God hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was formed.

But yet let not my wonder terrify thee, and let not my eloquence be burdensome to thee.

Now thou has said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words:

I am clean, and without sin: I am unspotted, and there is no iniquity in me.

10 Because he hath found complaints against me, therefore he hath counted me for his enemy.

11 He hath put my feet in the stocks, he hath observed all my paths.

12 Now this is the thing in which thou art not justified: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

13 Dost thou strive against him, because he hath not answered thee to all words?

14 God speaketh once, and repeateth not the selfsame thing the second time.

15 By a dream in a vision by night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, and they are sleeping in their beds:

16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn.

17 That he may withdraw a man from the things he is doing, and may deliver him from pride.

18 Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from passing to the sword.

19 He rebuketh also by sorrow in the bed, and he maketh all his bones to wither.

20 Bread becometh abominable to him in his life, and to his soul the meat which before he desired.

21 His flesh shall be consumed away, and his bones that were covered shall be made bare.

22 His soul hath drawn near to corruption, and his life to the destroyers.

23 If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man's uprightness,

24 He shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him.

25 His flesh is consumed with punishment, let him return to the days of his youth.

26 He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man his justice.

27 He shall look upon men, and shall say: I have sinned, and indeed I have offended, and I have not received what I have deserved.

28 He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see the light.

29 Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one.

30 That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the light of the living.

31 Attend, Job, and hearken to me: and hold thy peace, whilst I speak.

32 But if thou hast any thing to say, answer me, speak: for I would have thee to appear just.

33 And if thou have not, hear me: hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.

34 And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:

Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:

For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.

Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.

For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.

For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.

What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?

For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.

10 Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.

11 For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.

12 For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?

14 If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.

15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.

16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?

18 Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?

19 Who accepteth not the persons of princes: nor hath regarded the tyrant, when he contended against the poor man: for all are the work of his hands.

20 They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.

22 There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.

23 For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.

24 He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.

25 For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.

26 He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.

27 Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:

28 So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.

29 For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?

30 Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?

31 Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.

32 If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.

33 Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou begannest to speak, and not I: but if thou know any thing better, speak.

34 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.

35 But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.

36 My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.

37 Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.

Elihu

32 So these three men stopped answering Job,(A) because he was righteous in his own eyes.(B) But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,(C) of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself(D) rather than God.(E) He was also angry with the three friends,(F) because they had found no way to refute Job,(G) and yet had condemned him.[a](H) Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.(I) But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:

“I am young in years,
    and you are old;(J)
that is why I was fearful,
    not daring to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Age should speak;
    advanced years should teach wisdom.’(K)
But it is the spirit[b](L) in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty,(M) that gives them understanding.(N)
It is not only the old[c] who are wise,(O)
    not only the aged(P) who understand what is right.(Q)

10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me;(R)
    I too will tell you what I know.(S)
11 I waited while you spoke,
    I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
12     I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
    none of you has answered his arguments.(T)
13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;(U)
    let God, not a man, refute(V) him.’
14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,(W)
    and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say;
    words have failed them.(X)
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent,
    now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I too will have my say;
    I too will tell what I know.(Y)
18 For I am full of words,
    and the spirit(Z) within me compels me;(AA)
19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
    like new wineskins ready to burst.(AB)
20 I must speak and find relief;
    I must open my lips and reply.(AC)
21 I will show no partiality,(AD)
    nor will I flatter anyone;(AE)
22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
    my Maker(AF) would soon take me away.(AG)

33 “But now, Job, listen(AH) to my words;
    pay attention to everything I say.(AI)
I am about to open my mouth;
    my words are on the tip of my tongue.
My words come from an upright heart;(AJ)
    my lips sincerely speak what I know.(AK)
The Spirit(AL) of God has made me;(AM)
    the breath of the Almighty(AN) gives me life.(AO)
Answer me(AP) then, if you can;
    stand up(AQ) and argue your case before me.(AR)
I am the same as you in God’s sight;(AS)
    I too am a piece of clay.(AT)
No fear of me should alarm you,
    nor should my hand be heavy on you.(AU)

“But you have said in my hearing—
    I heard the very words—
‘I am pure,(AV) I have done no wrong;(AW)
    I am clean and free from sin.(AX)
10 Yet God has found fault with me;
    he considers me his enemy.(AY)
11 He fastens my feet in shackles;(AZ)
    he keeps close watch on all my paths.’(BA)

12 “But I tell you, in this you are not right,
    for God is greater than any mortal.(BB)
13 Why do you complain to him(BC)
    that he responds to no one’s words[d]?(BD)
14 For God does speak(BE)—now one way, now another(BF)
    though no one perceives it.(BG)
15 In a dream,(BH) in a vision(BI) of the night,(BJ)
    when deep sleep(BK) falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak(BL) in their ears
    and terrify them(BM) with warnings,(BN)
17 to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride,(BO)
18 to preserve them from the pit,(BP)
    their lives from perishing by the sword.[e](BQ)

19 “Or someone may be chastened(BR) on a bed of pain(BS)
    with constant distress in their bones,(BT)
20 so that their body finds food(BU) repulsive
    and their soul loathes the choicest meal.(BV)
21 Their flesh wastes away to nothing,
    and their bones,(BW) once hidden, now stick out.(BX)
22 They draw near to the pit,(BY)
    and their life to the messengers of death.[f](BZ)
23 Yet if there is an angel at their side,
    a messenger,(CA) one out of a thousand,
    sent to tell them how to be upright,(CB)
24 and he is gracious to that person and says to God,
    ‘Spare them from going down to the pit;(CC)
    I have found a ransom for them(CD)
25 let their flesh be renewed(CE) like a child’s;
    let them be restored as in the days of their youth’(CF)
26 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,(CG)
    they will see God’s face and shout for joy;(CH)
    he will restore them to full well-being.(CI)
27 And they will go to others and say,
    ‘I have sinned,(CJ) I have perverted what is right,(CK)
    but I did not get what I deserved.(CL)
28 God has delivered(CM) me from going down to the pit,(CN)
    and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’(CO)

29 “God does all these things to a person(CP)
    twice, even three times(CQ)
30 to turn them back(CR) from the pit,(CS)
    that the light of life(CT) may shine on them.(CU)

31 “Pay attention, Job, and listen(CV) to me;(CW)
    be silent,(CX) and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me;(CY)
    speak up, for I want to vindicate you.(CZ)
33 But if not, then listen to me;(DA)
    be silent,(DB) and I will teach you wisdom.(DC)

34 Then Elihu said:

“Hear my words, you wise men;
    listen to me,(DD) you men of learning.
For the ear tests words
    as the tongue tastes food.(DE)
Let us discern for ourselves what is right;(DF)
    let us learn together what is good.(DG)

“Job says, ‘I am innocent,(DH)
    but God denies me justice.(DI)
Although I am right,
    I am considered a liar;(DJ)
although I am guiltless,(DK)
    his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’(DL)
Is there anyone like Job,
    who drinks scorn like water?(DM)
He keeps company with evildoers;
    he associates with the wicked.(DN)
For he says, ‘There is no profit
    in trying to please God.’(DO)

10 “So listen to me,(DP) you men of understanding.(DQ)
    Far be it from God to do evil,(DR)
    from the Almighty to do wrong.(DS)
11 He repays everyone for what they have done;(DT)
    he brings on them what their conduct deserves.(DU)
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,(DV)
    that the Almighty would pervert justice.(DW)
13 Who appointed(DX) him over the earth?
    Who put him in charge of the whole world?(DY)
14 If it were his intention
    and he withdrew his spirit[g](DZ) and breath,(EA)
15 all humanity would perish(EB) together
    and mankind would return to the dust.(EC)

16 “If you have understanding,(ED) hear this;
    listen to what I say.(EE)
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?(EF)
    Will you condemn the just and mighty One?(EG)
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
    and to nobles,(EH) ‘You are wicked,’(EI)
19 who shows no partiality(EJ) to princes
    and does not favor the rich over the poor,(EK)
    for they are all the work of his hands?(EL)
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;(EM)
    the people are shaken and they pass away;
    the mighty are removed without human hand.(EN)

21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals;(EO)
    he sees their every step.(EP)
22 There is no deep shadow,(EQ) no utter darkness,(ER)
    where evildoers can hide.(ES)
23 God has no need to examine people further,(ET)
    that they should come before him for judgment.(EU)
24 Without inquiry he shatters(EV) the mighty(EW)
    and sets up others in their place.(EX)
25 Because he takes note of their deeds,(EY)
    he overthrows them in the night(EZ) and they are crushed.(FA)
26 He punishes them for their wickedness(FB)
    where everyone can see them,
27 because they turned from following him(FC)
    and had no regard for any of his ways.(FD)
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,
    so that he heard the cry of the needy.(FE)
29 But if he remains silent,(FF) who can condemn him?(FG)
    If he hides his face,(FH) who can see him?
Yet he is over individual and nation alike,(FI)
30     to keep the godless(FJ) from ruling,(FK)
    from laying snares for the people.(FL)

31 “Suppose someone says to God,
    ‘I am guilty(FM) but will offend no more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see;(FN)
    if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’(FO)
33 Should God then reward you on your terms,
    when you refuse to repent?(FP)
You must decide, not I;
    so tell me what you know.

34 “Men of understanding declare,
    wise men who hear me say to me,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge;(FQ)
    his words lack insight.’(FR)
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost
    for answering like a wicked man!(FS)
37 To his sin he adds rebellion;
    scornfully he claps his hands(FT) among us
    and multiplies his words(FU) against God.”(FV)

Footnotes

  1. Job 32:3 Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God
  2. Job 32:8 Or Spirit; also in verse 18
  3. Job 32:9 Or many; or great
  4. Job 33:13 Or that he does not answer for any of his actions
  5. Job 33:18 Or from crossing the river
  6. Job 33:22 Or to the place of the dead
  7. Job 34:14 Or Spirit