1 Cessaram aqueles três homens de responder a Jó no tocante ao se ter ele por justo aos seus próprios olhos. 2 Então, se acendeu a ira de Eliú, filho de Baraquel, o buzita, da família de Rão; acendeu-se a sua ira contra Jó, porque este pretendia ser mais justo do que Deus. 3 Também a sua ira se acendeu contra os três amigos, porque, mesmo não achando eles o que responder, condenavam a Jó. 4 Eliú, porém, esperara para falar a Jó, pois eram de mais idade do que ele. 5 Vendo Eliú que já não havia resposta na boca daqueles três homens, a sua ira se acendeu.

6 Disse Eliú, filho de Baraquel, o buzita:

Eu sou de menos idade,

e vós sois idosos;

arreceei-me e temi

de vos declarar a minha opinião.

7 Dizia eu: Falem os dias,

e a multidão dos anos ensine a sabedoria.

8 Na verdade, há um espírito no homem,

e o sopro do Todo-Poderoso o faz sábio.

9 Os de mais idade não é que são os sábios,

nem os velhos, os que entendem o que é reto.

10 Pelo que digo: dai-me ouvidos,

e também eu declararei a minha opinião.

11 Eis que aguardei as vossas palavras

e dei ouvidos às vossas considerações,

enquanto, quem sabe, buscáveis o que dizer.

12 Atentando, pois, para vós outros,

eis que nenhum de vós houve que refutasse a Jó,

nem que respondesse às suas razões.

13 Não vos desculpeis, pois, dizendo:

Achamos sabedoria nele;

Deus pode vencê-lo, e não o homem.

14 Ora, ele não me dirigiu palavra alguma,

nem eu lhe retorquirei com as vossas palavras.

15 Jó, os três estão pasmados, já não respondem,

faltam-lhes as palavras.

16 Acaso, devo esperar, pois não falam,

estão parados e nada mais respondem?

17 Também eu concorrerei com a minha resposta;

declararei a minha opinião.

18 Porque tenho muito que falar,

e o meu espírito me constrange.

19 Eis que dentro de mim sou como o vinho, sem respiradouro,

como odres novos, prestes a arrebentar-se.

20 Permiti, pois, que eu fale para desafogar-me;

abrirei os lábios e responderei.

21 Não farei acepção de pessoas,

nem usarei de lisonjas com o homem.

22 Porque não sei lisonjear;

em caso contrário, em breve me levaria o meu Criador.

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said,

I am young, and ye are very old;

Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.

7 I said, Days should speak,

And multitude of years should teach wisdom.

8 But there is a spirit in man,

And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

9 It is not the great that are wise,

Nor the aged that understand justice.

10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me;

I also will show mine opinion.

11 Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened for your reasonings,

Whilst ye searched out what to say.

12 Yea, I attended unto you,

And, behold, there was none that convinced Job,

Or that answered his words, among you.

13 Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom;

God may vanquish him, not man:

14 For he hath not directed his words against me;

Neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 They are amazed, they answer no more:

They have not a word to say.

16 And shall I wait, because they speak not,

Because they stand still, and answer no more?

17 I also will answer my part,

I also will show mine opinion.

18 For I am full of words;

The spirit within me constraineth me.

19 Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent;

Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst.

20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed;

I will open my lips and answer.

21 Let me not, I pray you, respect any man’s person;

Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.

22 For I know not to give flattering titles;

Else would my Maker soon take me away.

1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

3 He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. [^1]

4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.

5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know.

7 I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.'

8 But it is the spirit "in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9 It is not only the old "who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.

10 "Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.

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.

13 Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.'

14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15 "They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.

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.

18 For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;

19 inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.

20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.

21 I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;

22 for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.