Job 32
1 Job's three friends stopped responding to him because he kept on protesting his innocence.
And his three friends also ceased any longer to answer Job: for Job was righteous before them.
2 Then Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, grew angry. He was angry with Job for claiming he was right rather than 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 Elihu was also angry at Job's three friends because they made it seem that God was wrong, because they had not been able to answer 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 Elihu had waited to for the other three to speak with Job since they were older than he was.
But Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, because they were older than he.
5 But when he saw that they could not answer Job, he grew very angry.
And Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.
6 Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, said, “I am young, and you are old, which is why I was reluctant to tell you what I know.
And Elius the Buzite the son of Barachiel answered and said, I am younger in age, and you are elder, therefore I kept silence, fearing to declare to you my own knowledge.
7 I told myself, ‘Those who are older should speak—those who are elderly should teach wisdom.’
And I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years [men] know wisdom:
8 However, there is a spirit in human beings, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
but there is a spirit in mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.
9 It is not the old who are wise, or the elderly who know what is right.
The long-lived are not wise [as such]; neither do the aged know judgement.
10 That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you what I know.
Therefore I said, Hear me, and I will tell you what I know.
11 Well, I waited to hear what you had to say, listening for your insights as you looked for the right words to speak.
Listen to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until you shall have tried [the matter] with words:
12 I paid close attention to all of you, and none of you have proved Job wrong or answered his arguments.
and I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,
13 Don't say to yourselves, ‘We are so wise,’ for God will prove him wrong, not a human being.
lest you should say, We have found that we have added wisdom to the Lord.
14 Job didn't line up his arguments against me, and I won't answer him the way you did.
And you have commissioned a man to speak such words.
15 You sit there speechless with nothing left to say.
They were afraid, they answered no longer; they gave up their speaking.
16 Should I continue to wait since you're no longer talking, just standing there saying nothing?
I waited, (for I had not spoken, ) because they stood still, they answered not.
17 No—now I'll give my answer too. I'll tell you what I know.
And Elius continued, and said, I will again speak,
18 I have so much to say I can't hold the words back!
for I am full of words, for the spirit of my belly destroys me.
19 Inside I'm like fermenting wine all bottled up; like new wineskins ready to explode!
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 have to speak before I burst; I will open my lips to answer him.
I will speak, that I may open my lips and relieve myself.
21 I will not take sides, and I'm not going to flatter anyone.
For truly I will not be awed because of man, nor indeed will I be confounded before a mortal.
22 I don't know how to flatter, and if I did my Creator would soon destroy me.
For I know not how to respect persons: and if otherwise, even the moths would eat me.
