Job 32

¹So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself.

²And Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite of the kindred of Ram, was angry and was moved to indignation: now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God.

³And he was angry with his friends, because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.

⁴So Eliu waited while Job was speaking because they were his elders that were speaking.

⁵But when he saw that the three were not able to answer, he was exceedingly angry.

⁶Then Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, and said: I am younger in days, and you are more ancient, therefore hanging down my head, I was afraid to shew you my opinion.

⁷For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom.

⁸But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.

⁹They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment.

¹⁰Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will shew you my wisdom.

¹¹For I have waited for your words, I have given ear to your wisdom, as long as you were disputing in words.

¹²And as long as I thought you said some thing, I considered: but, as I see, there is none of you that can convince Job, and answer his words.

¹³Lest you should say: We have found wisdom, God hath cast him down, not man.

¹⁴He hath spoken nothing to me, and I will not answer him according to your words.

¹⁵They were afraid, and answered no more, and they left off speaking.

¹⁶Therefore because I have waited, and they have not spoken: they stood, and answered no more:

¹⁷I also will answer my part, and will shew my knowledge.

¹⁸For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth me.

¹⁹Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new vessels.

²⁰I will speak and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer.

²¹I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man.

²²For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my Maker may take me away.

Job 32

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

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

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

⁴Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

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

⁶And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

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

⁸But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

⁹Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

¹⁰Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

¹¹Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

¹²Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

¹³Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

¹⁴Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

¹⁶When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

¹⁷I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

¹⁸For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

¹⁹Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

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

²¹Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

²²For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.