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 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 to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.

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

And 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.

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I held back, and durst not shew you mine 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 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, nor the aged that 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, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine 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 listened for your reasons, 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 attended unto you, and, behold, there was none that convinced Job, or that 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 ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish 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 hath 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 have not a word to say.

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

And shall I wait, because they speak not, 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, I also will shew mine 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 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 bottles 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.

Let me not, I pray you, respect any man’s person; neither will I give flattering titles unto any 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; [else] would my Maker soon take me away.