Job 32

1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

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

2 This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,

And 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;

3 and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.

And 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.

4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.

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

5 But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.

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

6 So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.

And 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.

7 I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.

I 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.

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

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

9 It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.

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

10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’

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

11 Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,

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

12 I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.

I 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.

13 So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’

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

14 But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

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

15 Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.

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

16 Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?

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

17 I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.

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

18 For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.

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

19 Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.

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

20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

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

21 I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.

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

22 For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.

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