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Elihu Speaks

32 These three men stopped answering Job. This is because Job was so sure he was right. But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite became very angry with Job. (Elihu was from the family of Ram.) He was angry because Job claimed he was right instead of God. Elihu was also angry with Job’s three friends. They had no answer to show that Job was wrong. And yet they continued to blame him. Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job. This is because the three friends were older than he was. But when Elihu saw that the three men had nothing more to say, he became very angry.

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said this:

“I am young,
    and you are old.
That is why I was afraid
    to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Older people should speak.
    Those who have lived many years should teach wisdom.’
But it is the spirit in a person that gives him understanding.
    It is the breath of God All-Powerful in him.
It is not just older people who are wise.
    Older people are not the only ones who understand what is right.
10 So I say, listen to me!
    I will also tell you what I know.
11 I waited while you spoke.
    I listened to your explanations.
I waited while you looked for words to use.
12     I paid close attention to you.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong.
    Not one of you has answered his arguments.
13 Don’t you say, ‘We have found wisdom.
    Only God will show Job to be wrong, not people.’
14 Job has not spoken his words against me.
    So I will not use your arguments to answer Job.

15 “These three friends are defeated and have no more to say.
    Words have failed them.
16 Now they are standing there with no answer for Job.
    Now that they are quiet, must I wait to speak?
17 No, I also will speak.
    I will also tell what I know.
18 I am full of words.
    And the spirit in me causes me to speak.
19 I am like wine that has been bottled up.
    I am ready to burst like a new leather bag for holding wine.
20 I must speak. Then I will feel relief.
    I must open my mouth and answer.
21 I will be fair to everyone.
    I will not flatter anyone.
22 I don’t know how to flatter.
    If I did, God, my Maker, would quickly take me away.

Elihu

32 So these three men stopped answering Job,(A) because he was righteous in his own eyes.(B) But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,(C) of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself(D) rather than God.(E) He was also angry with the three friends,(F) because they had found no way to refute Job,(G) and yet had condemned him.[a](H) Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.(I) But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:

“I am young in years,
    and you are old;(J)
that is why I was fearful,
    not daring to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Age should speak;
    advanced years should teach wisdom.’(K)
But it is the spirit[b](L) in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty,(M) that gives them understanding.(N)
It is not only the old[c] who are wise,(O)
    not only the aged(P) who understand what is right.(Q)

10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me;(R)
    I too will tell you what I know.(S)
11 I waited while you spoke,
    I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
12     I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
    none of you has answered his arguments.(T)
13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;(U)
    let God, not a man, refute(V) him.’
14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,(W)
    and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say;
    words have failed them.(X)
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent,
    now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I too will have my say;
    I too will tell what I know.(Y)
18 For I am full of words,
    and the spirit(Z) within me compels me;(AA)
19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
    like new wineskins ready to burst.(AB)
20 I must speak and find relief;
    I must open my lips and reply.(AC)
21 I will show no partiality,(AD)
    nor will I flatter anyone;(AE)
22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
    my Maker(AF) would soon take me away.(AG)

Footnotes

  1. Job 32:3 Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God
  2. Job 32:8 Or Spirit; also in verse 18
  3. Job 32:9 Or many; or great