< Job 32 >

1 Then those three men stopped answering Job, because [they could not convince Job that he was wrong in claiming that] he had not done anything that was wrong.
So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then Elihu, the son of Barachel, a descendant of Buz, from the clan of Ram, became very angry at Job. He was angry because Job continued to claim that he was righteous/innocent, and that God was wrong [to punish him].
This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,
3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, because they had declared that Job must have done many things that were wrong, but they were unable to convince Job [that what they said was true]. As a result, [it seemed to Elihu that] God did what was wrong by punishing Job.
and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.
4 Elihu was younger than the others, so he waited [until they had finished speaking] before he replied to Job.
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.
5 But when Elihu realized that the three men had no more to say [MTY] to Job, he became angry.
But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.
6 And this is what he said: “I am young, and you all are much older than I am. So, I was timid, and I was afraid to tell you what I was thinking.
So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.
7 I thought, ‘Let those [PRS] who are much older speak, because older people [should be able to] say things that are wise.’
I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.
8 But the Spirit of Almighty [God] is within people, and it is he who enables them to be wise.
But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
9 It is not people becoming old that enables them to be wise; not [all] old people understand what is right.
It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.
10 “So, I say, ‘Listen to me, and allow me to say what I think.’
Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’
11 I waited for you all to speak; I wanted to hear the wise things that you would say. I waited while you thought carefully about what [would be the right things] to say.
Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,
12 I paid attention carefully, but surprisingly, none of you were able to prove that what Job said was wrong.
I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.
13 So, do not say [to yourselves], ‘We have discovered what is wise!’ It is God who must (refute Job/show that what Job said was wrong), because you three have not been able to do that.
So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’
14 Job was replying to you, [not to me], but I will not reply to him by saying what you three said.
But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15 “You three are dismayed [because you have not been able to convince him that he was wrong], so you are not saying any more to him [DOU].
Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.
16 But because you do not speak, I certainly will not wait any longer [RHQ]; you merely stand there and do not reply any more.
Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?
17 So [now] I also will reply [to Job] and say what I think.
I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.
18 I have plenty to say, and my spirit compels me to say it.
For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
19 My inner being is like [SIM] a (wineskin/bag that has (new/fermenting) wine in it), and it will soon burst.
Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.
20 I must speak [MTY], in order that I do not have to keep holding what I want to say; I must say something [MTY] to reply [to you all].
I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
21 I will speak [fairly], not favoring any of you, and I will not try to flatter anyone.
I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.
22 I [really] do not know how to flatter people; and if I did that, God would soon get rid of me.”
For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.

< Job 32 >