1 Then these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned against Job; his anger burned because he justified himself *before God. 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, yet they had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited *to speak to Job because they were years older than he. 5 But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, his anger burned.

6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite *spoke out and said,

"I am young in years and you are old;

Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you *what I think.

7 "I *thought *age should speak,

And *increased years should teach wisdom.

8 "But it is a spirit that is in mankind,

And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9 "The *abundant in years may not be wise,

Nor may elders understand justice.

10 "So I *say, ‘Listen to me,

I too will tell *what I think.’

11 "Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened to your skillful speech,

While you *pondered what to say.

12 "I also paid close attention to you;

But *indeed, there was no one who refuted Job,

Not one of you who answered his words.

13 "So do not say,

‘We have found wisdom:

God will *defeat him, not man.’

14 "But he has not presented his words against me,

Nor will I reply to him with your *arguments.

15 "They are dismayed, they no longer answer;

Words have *failed them.

16 "Should I wait, because they are not speaking,

Because they have *stopped and no longer answer?

17 "I too will *give my share of answers;

I also will tell my opinion.

18 "For I am full of words;

The spirit within me compels me.

19 "Behold, my belly is like unvented wine;

Like new wineskins, it is about to burst.

20 "Let me speak so that I may get relief;

Let me open my lips and answer.

21 "Let me be partial to no one,

Nor flatter any man.

22 "For I do not know how to flatter,

Otherwise my Maker would quickly take me away.