Job 32

1 Job's three friends stopped responding to him because he kept on protesting his innocence.

And these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

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 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;

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 against his three friends was his anger kindled, because they found no answer, and [yet] condemned Job.

4 Elihu had waited to for the other three to speak with Job since they were older than he was.

But Elihu had waited till Job had finished speaking, because they were older than he.

5 But when he saw that they could not answer Job, he grew very angry.

And Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger was kindled.

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 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.

7 I told myself, ‘Those who are older should speak—those who are elderly should teach wisdom.’

I said, Let days speak, and multitude of years teach wisdom.

8 However, there is a spirit in human beings, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

But there is a spirit which is in man; and the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

9 It is not the old who are wise, or the elderly who know what is right.

It is not the great that are wise; neither do the aged understand judgment.

10 That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you what I know.

Therefore I say, Hearken to me; I also will shew 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.

Lo, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasonings, until ye searched out what to say.

12 I paid close attention to all of you, and none of you have proved Job wrong or answered his arguments.

Yea, I gave you mine attention, and behold, there was none of you that confuted Job, that answered his words;

13 Don't say to yourselves, ‘We are so wise,’ for God will prove him wrong, not a human being.

That ye may not say, We have found out wisdom; God will make him yield, not man.

14 Job didn't line up his arguments against me, and I won't answer him the way you did.

Now he hath not directed [his] words against me; and I will not answer him with your speeches. ...

15 You sit there speechless with nothing left to say.

They were amazed, they answered no more; words failed them.

16 Should I continue to wait since you're no longer talking, just standing there saying nothing?

And I waited, for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more; —

17 No—now I'll give my answer too. I'll tell you what I know.

I will answer, I also in my turn, I also will shew what I know:

18 I have so much to say I can't hold the words back!

For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

19 Inside I'm like fermenting wine all bottled up; like new wineskins ready to explode!

Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; like new flasks, it is ready to burst.

20 I have to speak before I burst; I will open my lips to answer him.

I will speak, that I may find relief; I will open my lips and answer.

21 I will not take sides, and I'm not going to flatter anyone.

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither will I give flattery to man.

22 I don't know how to flatter, and if I did my Creator would soon destroy me.

For I know not how to flatter; my Maker would soon take me away.