< Job 32 >
1 And these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then was kindled the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his anger kindled, because he justified himself rather than God;
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,
3 and against his three friends was his anger kindled, because they found no answer, and [yet] condemned Job.
and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.
4 But Elihu had waited till Job had finished speaking, because they were older than he.
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.
5 And Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger was kindled.
But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are aged; wherefore I was timid, and feared to shew you what I know.
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.
7 I said, Let days speak, and multitude of years teach wisdom.
I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit which is in man; and the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
9 It is not the great that are wise; neither do the aged understand judgment.
It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.
10 Therefore I say, Hearken to me; I also will shew what I know.
Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’
11 Lo, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasonings, until ye searched out what to say.
Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,
12 Yea, I gave you mine attention, and behold, there was none of you that confuted Job, that answered his words;
I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.
13 That ye may not say, We have found out wisdom; God will make him yield, not man.
So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’
14 Now he hath not directed [his] words against me; and I will not answer him with your speeches. ...
But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15 They were amazed, they answered no more; words failed them.
Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.
16 And I waited, for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more; —
Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?
17 I will answer, I also in my turn, I also will shew what I know:
I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.
18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; like new flasks, it is ready to burst.
Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.
20 I will speak, that I may find relief; I will open my lips and answer.
I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither will I give flattery to man.
I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.
22 For I know not how to flatter; my Maker would soon take me away.
For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.