Job 32

Elihu Rebukes Job and His Three Friends

1 Then these three men ceased from answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 So Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite, from the clan of Ram, became angry.*Literally "the nose of Elihu became hot" He became angry*Literally "His nose became hot" at Job because he justified himself rather than God, 3 and he became angry*Literally "his nose became hot" at his three friends because they had not found an answer, and they had declared Job guilty. 4 Thus Elihu had waited for Job to speak*Literally "in words" because they were older than he.*Literally "they were older than he as far as days"5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he became angry.*Literally "his nose became hot"6 Then Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up*Literally "answered"; see NET and said,

"I am young,*Literally "Young I am as far as days" but*Or "and" you*Plural are old;

therefore I feared and became afraid of explaining my knowledge to you.*Plural

7 I thought,*Or "said" ‘Let days*Compare the idiom of "as far as days" in vv. 4 and 6 speak,

and let many years teach wisdom.’

8 "Truly, it is a spirit in a human being,

and the breath of Shaddai teaches them.

9 It is not the aged*Literally "many in days" who are wise,

or*Hebrew "and" it is not the elders who understand justice.

10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

let me also declare my knowledge myself.’

11 "Look, I waited for your*Plural words;

I listened for your*Plural insight,

until you searched out what to say.*Literally "words," or "sentences"

12 And I directed my attention to you;*Plural

and, look, there is no one for Job who refuted,

answering his words among you.

13 So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;

let God refute him, not a man.’

14 But*Hebrew "And" he did not direct his words*Or "sentences," or "what he said" to me,

and I will not answer him with your*Plural words.

15 "They are dismayed; they no longer answer;

they have nothing to say.*Literally "words fail from them," or "sentences fail from them," or "what to say fails from them"

16 And I have waited because they do not speak,

because they stand there and no longer answer.

17 I myself will answer my share also;

I myself will declare my knowledge also,

18 for I am full of words;*Or "sentences," or "what to say"

the spirit within me*Literally "the spirit of my stomach" urges me.

19 "Look, my internal organs are like unopened wine,

like new wineskins it*Antecedent is "wine" is ready to burst open.

20 Let me speak that I may find relief;*Literally "and let it find relief for me"

let me open my lips, and let me answer.

21 Please let me not show partiality to anyone,*Literally "Not please I will lift up face of a man"

and let me not show flattery to human beings,

22 for I do not know how to flatter,*Literally "I will flatter"

else my Maker would soon*Literally "like little" put an end to me.