Job 32

New Life Version

Elihu Talks

32 Then these three men stopped answering Job, because he was right and good in his own eyes. ² But Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry at Job because he said he was right with God. ³ And he was angry at his three friends because they had found no answer, yet they had said that Job was wrong. ⁴ Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. ⁵ And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was very angry. ⁶ So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite said, “I am young, and you are old. So I did not feel that I should speak. I was afraid to tell you what I think. ⁷ I thought the older men should speak, and that the many years should teach wisdom. ⁸ But it is the spirit in a man and the breath of the All-powerful that gives him understanding. ⁹ The old may not be wise. They may not understand what is right and fair. ¹⁰ So I say, ‘Listen to me. I also will tell you what I think.’

¹¹ “See, I waited for your words. I listened to what you said and waited to hear more from you. ¹² I was careful to listen to you. There was no one who could prove that Job was wrong. None of you could answer his words. ¹³ Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom. God will show he is wrong, not man.’ ¹⁴ Now Job has not spoken his words against me. And I will not answer him with your words.

¹⁵ “They are troubled and have no more to say. Words do not come. ¹⁶ Should I wait because they do not speak, because they stand there and do not answer? ¹⁷ I also will give my answer. I will tell what I think. ¹⁸ For I am full of words. The spirit within me makes me speak. ¹⁹ See, my stomach is like wine that cannot get out. It is ready to break like new wine bottles made of skin. ²⁰ Let me speak, that I may find comfort. Let me open my lips and answer. ²¹ I will not show favor to anyone, or praise any man in a false way. ²² For I do not know how to say sweet-sounding words that are not true, for then my Maker would soon take me away.