Job 32

¹So these three men gave no more answers to Job, because he seemed to himself to be right.

²And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was angry, burning with wrath against Job, because he seemed to himself more right than God;

³And he was angry with his three friends, because they had been unable to give him an answer, and had not made Job's sin clear.

⁴Now Elihu had kept quiet while Job was talking, because they were older than he;

⁵And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was very angry.

⁶And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, made answer and said, I am young, and you are very old, so I was in fear, and kept myself from putting my knowledge before you.

⁷I said to myself, It is right for the old to say what is in their minds, and for those who are far on in years to give out wisdom.

⁸But truly it is the spirit in man, even the breath of the Ruler of all, which gives them knowledge.

⁹It is not the old who are wise, and those who are full of years have not the knowledge of what is right.

¹⁰So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge.

¹¹I was waiting for your words, I was giving ear to your wise sayings; while you were searching out what to say,

¹²I was taking note; and truly not one of you was able to make clear Job's error, or to give an answer to his words.

¹³Take care that you do not say, Wisdom is here; God may overcome him, but not man.

¹⁴I will not put forward words like these, or make use of your sayings in answer to him.

¹⁵Fear has overcome them, they have no more answers to give; they have come to an end of words.

¹⁶And am I to go on waiting while they have nothing to say? while they keep quiet and give no more answers?

¹⁷I will give my answer; I will put forward my knowledge:

¹⁸For I am full of words, I am unable to keep in my breath any longer:

¹⁹My stomach is like wine which is unable to get out; like skins full of new wine, it is almost burst.

²⁰Let me say what is in my mind, so that I may get comfort; let me give answer with open mouth.

²¹Let me not give respect to any man, or give names of honour to any living.

²²For I am not able to give names of honour to any man; and if I did, my Maker would quickly take me away.

Job 32

¹So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

²Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

³Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.

⁵When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

⁶Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and did not dare show you my opinion.

⁷I said, 'Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.'

⁸But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

⁹It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

¹⁰Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.'

¹¹"Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

¹²Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

¹³Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;'

¹⁴for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵"They are amazed. They answer no more. They do not have a word to say.

¹⁶Shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

¹⁷I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

¹⁸For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

¹⁹Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

²⁰I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

²¹Please do not let me respect any man's person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

²²For I do not know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.