So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite [a]spoke out and said,

“I am young in years and you are (A)old;
Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you [b]what I think.
I [c]thought [d](B)age should speak,
And [e]increased years should teach wisdom.
But it is a spirit that is in mankind,
And the (C)breath of the Almighty gives them (D)understanding.
The [f]abundant in years may not be wise,
Nor may (E)elders understand justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 32:6 Lit answered
  2. Job 32:6 Lit my knowledge
  3. Job 32:7 Lit said
  4. Job 32:7 Lit days
  5. Job 32:7 Lit many
  6. Job 32:9 Lit great (i.e., in years); or nobles

Barachel’s son Elihu from Buz responded and said:

“I’m younger than you are.
    Because you’re older,[a] I was terrified
        to tell you what I know.
I thought, experience[b] should speak;
    abundance of years teaches wisdom.
However, a spirit exists in mankind,
    and the Almighty’s breath gives him insight.”

There’s No Fool Like an Old Fool

“The aged aren’t always wise,
    nor do the elderly always understand justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 32:6 Lit. aged
  2. Job 32:7 Lit. days