Job 32

1 So these three men stopped answering 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 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,

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 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 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 the others were older than he.

But Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, because they were older than he.

5 But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger 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 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 Elius the Buzite the son of Barachiel answered and said, I am younger in age, and ye are elder, wherefore I kept silence, fearing to declare to you my own knowledge.

7 I thought that age should speak, and many 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 a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

but there is a spirit in mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.

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

The long-lived are not wise [as such]; neither do the aged know judgment.

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

Wherefore I said, Hear me, and I will tell you what I know.

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

Hearken to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until ye shall have tried [the matter] with words:

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

and I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,

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

lest ye should say, We have found that we have added wisdom to the Lord.

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

And ye have commissioned a man to speak such words.

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

They were afraid, they answered no longer; they gave up their speaking.

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

I waited, (for I had not spoken, ) because they stood still, they answered not.

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

And Elius continued, and said, I will again speak,

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

for I am full of words, for the spirit of my belly destroys me.

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

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

I will speak, that I may open my lips and relieve myself.

21 I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter 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 flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.

For I know not how to respect persons: and if otherwise, even the moths would eat me.