Elihu’s Angry Response
1 So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 32:1 Jb 10:7; 33:9; 34:5–62 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite 32:2 Gn 22:21; Jr 25:23 from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified 32:2 Jb 33:32; Jr 3:11; Ezk 16:51–52 himself rather than God. 3 He was also angry at Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him. 32:3 Alt Hb tradition reads condemned God
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he. 5 But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry.
6 So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite replied:
I am young in years,
while you are old;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to tell 32:6 Jb 15:17; 36:2 you what I know.
7 I thought that age should speak
and maturity should teach wisdom.
8 But it is the spirit in a person—
the breath 32:8 Gn 2:7; Jb 33:4; Is 42:5 from the Almighty—
that gives anyone understanding.
9 It is not only the old who are wise
or the elderly who understand how to judge.
10 Therefore I say, "Listen to me.
I too will declare what I know."
11 Look, I waited for your conclusions;
I listened to your insights
as you sought for words.
12 I paid close attention to you.
Yet no one proved Job wrong;
not one of you refuted his arguments.
13 So do not claim, "We have found wisdom;
let God deal with him, not man."
14 But Job has not directed his argument to me,
and I will not respond to him with your arguments.
15 Job’s friends are dismayed and can no longer answer;
words have left them.
16 Should I continue to wait now that they are silent,
now that they stand there and no longer answer?
17 I too will answer; 32:17 Lit answer my part
yes, I will tell what I know.
18 For I am full of words,
and my spirit 32:18 Lit and the spirit of my belly compels me to speak. 32:18 Jb 19:3; 32:18; Ac 4:20
19 My heart 32:19 Lit belly is like unvented wine;
it is about to burst like new wineskins. 32:19 Jb 15:35; 37:1; Pr 20:27,30
20 I must speak so that I can find relief;
I must open my lips and respond.
21 I will be partial to no one, 32:21 Dt 10:17; Jb 13:8; 34:19
and I will not give anyone an undeserved title.
22 For I do not know how to give such titles;
otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.