Job 32

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

But these three men ceased to answer Job, because he considered himself justified.

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 Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, was angry and indignant. But he was angry against Job because he described himself to be just in the presence of God.

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

Moreover, he was indignant with his friends because they had not found a reasonable response, except in so far as they condemned Job.

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

Therefore, Eliu waited while Job was talking, for these were his elders that were speaking.

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

But when he saw that these three were not able to respond, he was extremely 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 so Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite responded by saying: I am younger in years, and you are more ancient; therefore, I kept my head low, for I was afraid to reveal to you my opinion.

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

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

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

But I see now that there is only breath in men, and that it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives understanding.

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

The wise are not the aged, nor do the elders understand judgment.

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

Therefore, I will speak. Listen to me, and so I will show you my wisdom.

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

For I have endured your words; I have paid attention to your deliberations, while you were being argumentative with words.

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

And as long as I supposed that you were saying something, I considered; but now I see that there is none of you that is able to argue with Job and to respond to his words.

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

So that you will not say, “We have found wisdom,” God has thrown him down, not man.

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

He has said nothing to me, and I will not respond to him according to your words.

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

Then they were filled with dread, and so they no longer responded, and they withdrew from their speechmaking.

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

Therefore, because I have waited and they have not been speaking, for they stood firm and did not respond at all,

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

I also will answer in my turn, and I will reveal my knowledge.

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

For I am full of words, and the feeling in my gut inspires me.

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

Yes, my stomach is like fermenting wine without a vent, which bursts the new containers.

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

I should speak, but I will also breathe a little; I will open my lips, and I will answer.

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

I will not esteem the reputation of a man, and I will not equate God with man.

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

For I do not know how long I will continue, and whether, after a while, my Maker might take me away.