Job 32

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

Then those three men stopped answering Job, because [they could not convince Job that he was wrong in claiming that] he had not done anything that was wrong.

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, a descendant of Buz, from the clan of Ram, became very angry at Job. He was angry because Job continued to claim that he was righteous/innocent, and that God was wrong [to punish him].

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

He was also angry with Job’s three friends, because they had declared that Job must have done many things that were wrong, but they were unable to convince Job [that what they said was true]. As a result, [it seemed to Elihu that] God did what was wrong by punishing Job.

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

Elihu was younger than the others, so he waited [until they had finished speaking] before he replied to Job.

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

But when Elihu realized that the three men had no more to say [MTY] to Job, he became 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 this is what he said: “I am young, and you all are much older than I am. So, I was timid, and I was afraid to tell you what I was thinking.

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

I thought, ‘Let those [PRS] who are much older speak, because older people [should be able to] say things that are wise.’

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

But the Spirit of Almighty [God] is within people, and it is he who enables them to be wise.

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

It is not people becoming old that enables them to be wise; not [all] old people understand what is right.

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

“So, I say, ‘Listen to me, and allow me to say what I think.’

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

I waited for you all to speak; I wanted to hear the wise things that you would say. I waited while you thought carefully about what [would be the right things] to say.

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

I paid attention carefully, but surprisingly, none of you were able to prove that what Job said was wrong.

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

So, do not say [to yourselves], ‘We have discovered what is wise!’ It is God who must (refute Job/show that what Job said was wrong), because you three have not been able to do that.

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

Job was replying to you, [not to me], but I will not reply to him by saying what you three said.

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

“You three are dismayed [because you have not been able to convince him that he was wrong], so you are not saying any more to him [DOU].

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

But because you do not speak, I certainly will not wait any longer [RHQ]; you merely stand there and do not reply any more.

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

So [now] I also will reply [to Job] and say what I think.

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

I have plenty to say, and my spirit compels me to say it.

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

My inner being is like [SIM] a (wineskin/bag that has (new/fermenting) wine in it), and it will soon burst.

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

I must speak [MTY], in order that I do not have to keep holding what I want to say; I must say something [MTY] to reply [to you all].

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

I will speak [fairly], not favoring any of you, and I will not try to flatter anyone.

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

I [really] do not know how to flatter people; and if I did that, God would soon get rid of me.”