Job 32

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.