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 family of Ram; against Job was his wrath kindled, because he accounted himself righteous 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.
Against his three friends also was his wrath kindled, because they had not found an 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 delayed to reply to Job, because they were older than himself.
5 But when he saw that they could not answer Job, he grew very angry.
But 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.
Then spake Elihu, the son of Barachel, the Buzite, and said: I am young, and ye are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And durst not make known to 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 the 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 it is the spirit in man, Even the inspiration of the Almighty, that giveth him understanding.
9 It is not the old who are wise, or the elderly who know what is right.
Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand what is right.
10 That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you what I know.
Therefore, I pray, listen to me: I also will declare 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 have waited for your words, I have listened to your arguments, Whilst 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 have attended to you; And behold, none of you hath refuted Job, Nor answered his words.
13 Don't say to yourselves, ‘We are so wise,’ for God will prove him wrong, not a human being.
Say not, then, “We have found out wisdom; God must conquer him, not man.”
14 Job didn't line up his arguments against me, and I won't answer him the way you did.
He hath not directed his discourse against me, And with speeches like yours will I not answer him.
15 You sit there speechless with nothing left to say.
They were confounded! they answered no more! They could say nothing!
16 Should I continue to wait since you're no longer talking, just standing there saying nothing?
I waited, but they spake not; They stood still; they answered no more!
17 No—now I'll give my answer too. I'll tell you what I know.
Therefore will I answer, on 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 constraineth me.
19 Inside I'm like fermenting wine all bottled up; like new wineskins ready to explode!
Behold, my bosom is as wine that hath no vent; Like bottles of new wine, which are bursting.
20 I have to speak before I burst; I will open my lips to answer him.
I will speak, that I may be relieved; I will open my lips and answer.
21 I will not take sides, and I'm not going to flatter anyone.
I will not be partial to any man's person, Nor will I flatter any 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; Soon would my Maker take me away.
