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 the wrath of Elihu the son of Barakel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was 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 his wrath was kindled against his three friends, 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 to speak to Job, 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, 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.

Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and did not dare 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 breath of Shaddai gives them understanding.

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

It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

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.

"Look, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while 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 gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

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

Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;'

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

for 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 are amazed. They answer no more. They do not have a word to say.

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

Shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

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

I also will answer my part, and 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 words. The spirit within me constrains me.

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

Look, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins 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 be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

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

Please do not let me respect any man's person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

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

For I do not know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.