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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

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.

Read full chapter

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