Job 32

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

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

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

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 these three were not able to respond, he was extremely angry.

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

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 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 For I had hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would 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 I see now that there is only breath in men, and that it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives understanding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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