Job 32

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

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

2 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.

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

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

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

5 But when he saw that these three were not able to respond, he was extremely angry.

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

6 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.

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

And I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years [men] know wisdom:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 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.

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

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

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

And ye have commissioned a man to speak such words.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21 I will not esteem the reputation of a man, and I will not equate God with 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 long I will continue, and whether, after a while, my Maker might take me away.

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