Job 32

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

So 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 wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath 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.

Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

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

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

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

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath 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 you are very old; why I was afraid, and dared not show you my opinion.

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

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should 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 in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding.

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

Great men are not always 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 said, Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.

11 Well, I waited to hear what you had to say, listening for your insights as you looked for the right words to speak.

Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst you 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.

Yes, I attended to you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

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 out wisdom: God thrusts him down, not man.

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

Now he has not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 You sit there speechless with nothing left to say.

They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

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

When I had 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 said, I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion.

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

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

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

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

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

I will speak, that I may be refreshed: 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 let me give flattering titles to man.

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

For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.