Job 32

Elihu Rebukes Job in Anger

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 *32:2 Or more thanbefore 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 *32:4 Lit for Job with words; or possibly while they were speaking with Jobto 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 *32:6 Lit answeredspoke out and said,

"I am young in years and you are old;

Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you *32:6 Lit my knowledgewhat I think.

7 "I *32:7 Lit saidthought *32:7 Lit daysage should speak,

And *32:7 Lit manyincreased 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 *32:9 Lit great (i.e., in years); or noblesabundant in years may not be wise,

Nor may elders understand justice.

10 "So I *32:10 Or saidsay, ‘Listen to me,

I too will tell *32:10 Lit my knowledgewhat I think.’

11 "Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened to your skillful speech,

While you *32:11 Lit searched out wordspondered what to say.

12 "I also paid close attention to you;

But *32:12 Lit Beholdindeed, 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 *32:13 Lit scatterdefeat him, not man.’

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

Nor will I reply to him with your *32:14 Lit wordsarguments.

15 "They are dismayed, they no longer answer;

Words have *32:15 Lit moved away fromfailed them.

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

Because they have *32:16 Lit standstopped and no longer answer?

17 "I too will *32:17 Lit answer my sharegive 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.