Job 32

1 So had these three men abstained from answering Job; because he was righteous in his own eyes.

So these three men stopped answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes.

2 Thereupon 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 had declared himself more righteous than God.

Then was kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram; it was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God.

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

Elihu's anger was also kindled against his three friends because they had found no answer to Job, and yet they had condemned Job.

4 Now Elihu had held back toward Job [his] words; because the others were older in days than he.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the other men were older than he.

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

However, when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, his anger was kindled.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite commenced, and said, Young am I in days, and ye are very old: therefore I hesitated and feared to show you what I know.

Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up and said, “I am young, and you are very old. That is why I held back and did not dare to tell you my own opinion.

7 I had said, Days shall speak, and multitude of years shall make wisdom known.

I said, “Length of days should speak; a multitude of years should teach wisdom.

8 But it is the spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty which giveth them understanding.

But there is a spirit in a man; the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

9 Not those rich in years must be always wise: neither do the aged constantly understand what is just.

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

10 Therefore do I say, Hearken to me: I also will show forth what I know myself.

Therefore I say to you, 'Listen to me; I will also tell you my knowledge.'

11 Behold, I waited for your words: I gave an attentive ear to your reasonings, till you might have searched out the [proper] words.

See, I waited for your words; I listened to your arguments while you were thinking about what to say.

12 And now I understand you fully, and, behold, there is none that convinceth Job, or, that answereth his speeches among you.

Indeed, I paid attention to you, but, see, there was not one of you who could convince Job or who could respond to his words.

13 Say then not, We have found wisdom: God will thrust him down, not man.

Be careful not to say, 'We have found wisdom!' God will have to defeat Job; mere man cannot do it.

14 But he hath not directed any words against me: and with your speeches will I not answer him.

For Job has not directed his words against me, so I will not answer him with your words.

15 They are dismayed, they answer no more: words have escaped away from them.

These three men are dumbfounded; they can answer Job no longer; they have not a word more to say.

16 And should I wait [longer], because they cannot speak, because they stand stilt and answer no more?

Should I wait because they are not speaking, because they stand there silent and answer no more?

17 [But] I also will surely answer my part, I myself also will show forth what I know;

No, I also will answer on my part; I will also tell them my knowledge.

18 For I am full of words, the spirit in my bosom urgeth me hard.

For I am full of words; the spirit in me compels me.

19 Behold, my bosom is like [fresh] wine which hath not been opened: like new bottles it is ready to burst.

See, my breast is like fermenting wine that has no vent; like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.

20 I will speak, that I may breathe freer: I will open my lips and answer.

I will speak so that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.

21 On no account will I show undue favor to any man, and to no son of earth will I give flattering titles.

I will not show favoritism; neither will I give honorific titles to any man.

22 For I know not to give flattering titles; [for else] my Maker would speedily carry me away.

For I do not know how to give such titles; if I did so, my Maker would soon take me away.