Job 32

1 And his three friends also ceased any longer to answer Job: for Job was righteous before them.

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

2 Then Elius the son of Barachiel, the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, of the country of Ausis, was angered: and he was very angry with Job, because he justified himself before the Lord.

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 And he was also very angry with [his] three friends, because they were not able to return answers to Job, yet set him down for an ungodly man.

Against his three friends also was his wrath kindled, because they had not found an answer, and yet had condemned Job.

4 But Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, because they were older than he.

Now Elihu had delayed to reply to Job, because they were older than himself.

5 And Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.

But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

6 And Elius the Buzite the son of Barachiel answered and said, I am younger in age, and you are elder, therefore I kept silence, fearing to declare to you my own knowledge.

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 And I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years [men] know wisdom:

I said, “Days should speak, And the multitude of years should teach wisdom.”

8 but there is a spirit in mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.

But it is the spirit in man, Even the inspiration of the Almighty, that giveth him understanding.

9 The long-lived are not wise [as such]; neither do the aged know judgment.

Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand what is right.

10 Therefore I said, Hear me, and I will tell you what I know.

Therefore, I pray, listen to me: I also will declare my opinion.

11 Listen to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until you shall have tried [the matter] with words:

Behold, I have waited for your words, I have listened to your arguments, Whilst ye searched out what to say;

12 and I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,

Yea, I have attended to you; And behold, none of you hath refuted Job, Nor answered his words.

13 lest you should say, We have found that we have added wisdom to the Lord.

Say not, then, “We have found out wisdom; God must conquer him, not man.”

14 And you have commissioned a man to speak such words.

He hath not directed his discourse against me, And with speeches like yours will I not answer him.

15 They were afraid, they answered no longer; they gave up their speaking.

They were confounded! they answered no more! They could say nothing!

16 I waited, (for I had not spoken, ) because they stood still, they answered not.

I waited, but they spake not; They stood still; they answered no more!

17 And Elius continued, and said, I will again speak,

Therefore will I answer, on my part; I also will show my opinion.

18 for I am full of words, for the spirit of my belly destroys me.

For I am full of matter; The spirit within me constraineth me.

19 And my belly is as a skin of sweet wine, bound up [and] ready to burst; or as a brazier's laboring bellows.

Behold, my bosom is as wine that hath no vent; Like bottles of new wine, which are bursting.

20 I will speak, that I may open my lips and relieve myself.

I will speak, that I may be relieved; I will open my lips and answer.

21 For truly I will not be awed because of man, nor indeed will I be confounded before a mortal.

I will not be partial to any man's person, Nor will I flatter any man.

22 For I know not how to respect persons: and if otherwise, even the moths would eat me.

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