Job 32
1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
Job's three friends stopped responding to him because he kept on protesting his innocence.
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 Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, grew angry. He was angry with Job for claiming he was right rather 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.
Elihu was also angry at Job's three friends because they made it seem that God was wrong, because they had not been able to answer Job.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.
Elihu had waited to for the other three to speak with Job since they were older than he was.
5 But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.
But when he saw that they could not answer Job, he grew 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.
Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, said, “I am young, and you are old, which is why I was reluctant to tell you what I know.
7 I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.
I told myself, ‘Those who are older should speak—those who are elderly should teach wisdom.’
8 But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
However, there is a spirit in human beings, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
9 It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.
It is not the old who are wise, or the elderly who know what is right.
10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’
That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you what I know.
11 Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,
Well, I waited to hear what you had to say, listening for your insights as you looked for the right words to speak.
12 I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.
I paid close attention to all of you, and none of you have proved Job wrong or answered his arguments.
13 So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’
Don't say to yourselves, ‘We are so wise,’ for God will prove him wrong, not a human being.
14 But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
Job didn't line up his arguments against me, and I won't answer him the way you did.
15 Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.
You sit there speechless with nothing left to say.
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?
Should I continue to wait since you're no longer talking, just standing there saying nothing?
17 I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.
No—now I'll give my answer too. I'll tell you what I know.
18 For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
I have so much to say I can't hold the words back!
19 Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.
Inside I'm like fermenting wine all bottled up; like new wineskins ready to explode!
20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
I have to speak before I burst; I will open my lips to answer him.
21 I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.
I will not take sides, and I'm not going to flatter anyone.
22 For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.
I don't know how to flatter, and if I did my Creator would soon destroy me.
