< Job 32 >

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
And his three friends also ceased any longer to answer Job: for Job was righteous before them.
2 Then 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.
Then Elius the son of Barachiel, the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, of the country of Ausis, was angered: and he was very angry with Job, because he justified himself before the Lord.
3 Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
And he was also very angry with [his] three friends, because they were not able to return answers to Job, yet set him down for an ungodly man.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.
But Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, because they were older than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
And Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.
6 Elihu 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.
And Elius the Buzite the son of Barachiel answered and said, I am younger in age, and you are elder, therefore I kept silence, fearing to declare to you my own knowledge.
7 I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
And I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years [men] know wisdom:
8 But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.
but there is a spirit in mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.
9 It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.
The long-lived are not wise [as such]; neither do the aged know judgement.
10 Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’
Therefore I said, Hear me, and I will tell you what I know.
11 “Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
Listen to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until you shall have tried [the matter] with words:
12 Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.
and I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,
13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’
lest you should say, We have found that we have added wisdom to the Lord.
14 for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.
And you have commissioned a man to speak such words.
15 “They are amazed. They answer no more. They do not have a word to say.
They were afraid, they answered no longer; they gave up their speaking.
16 Shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?
I waited, (for I had not spoken, ) because they stood still, they answered not.
17 I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.
And Elius continued, and said, I will again speak,
18 For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.
for I am full of words, for the spirit of my belly destroys me.
19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
And my belly is as a skin of sweet wine, bound up [and] ready to burst; or as a brazier's labouring bellows.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
I will speak, that I may open my lips and relieve myself.
21 Please do not let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
For truly I will not be awed because of man, nor indeed will I be confounded before a mortal.
22 For I do not know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.
For I know not how to respect persons: and if otherwise, even the moths would eat me.

< Job 32 >