Job 32

1 And his three friends also ceased any longer to answer Job: for Job was righteous before them.

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 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.

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 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.

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

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

5 And Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.

But when Elihu realized that the three men had no more to say [MTY] to Job, he became angry.

6 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.

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 And I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years [men] know 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 mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.

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

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

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

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

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

11 Hearken to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until ye shall have tried [the matter] with 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 and I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,

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

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

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 And ye have commissioned a man to speak such words.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19 And my belly is as a skin of sweet wine, bound up [and] ready to burst; or as a brazier's labouring bellows.

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

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

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 For truly I will not be awed because of man, nor indeed will I be confounded before a mortal.

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

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

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