Job 32

International Children’s Bible

Elihu Speaks

32 These three men stopped answering Job. This is because Job was so sure he was right. ²But 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. ³Elihu 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. ⁴Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job. This is because the three friends were older than he was. ⁵But when Elihu saw that the three men had nothing more to say, he became very angry.

⁶So 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.
⁷I thought, ‘Older people should speak.
    Those who have lived many years should teach wisdom.’
⁸But it is the spirit in a person that gives him understanding.
    It is the breath of God All-Powerful in him.
⁹It is not just older people who are wise.
    Older people are not the only ones who understand what is right.
¹⁰So I say, listen to me!
    I will also tell you what I know.
¹¹I 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.
¹³Don’t you say, ‘We have found wisdom.
    Only God will show Job to be wrong, not people.’
¹⁴Job 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.
¹⁶Now they are standing there with no answer for Job.
    Now that they are quiet, must I wait to speak?
¹⁷No, I also will speak.
    I will also tell what I know.
¹⁸I am full of words.
    And the spirit in me causes me to speak.
¹⁹I am like wine that has been bottled up.
    I am ready to burst like a new leather bag for holding wine.
²⁰I must speak. Then I will feel relief.
    I must open my mouth and answer.
²¹I will be fair to everyone.
    I will not flatter anyone.
²²I don’t know how to flatter.
    If I did, God, my Maker, would quickly take me away.