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 gave no more answers to Job, because he seemed to himself to be right.

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].

And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was angry, burning with wrath against Job, because he seemed to himself more right 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 was angry with his three friends, because they had been unable to give him an answer, and had not made Job's sin clear.

4 Elihu was younger than the others, so he waited [until they had finished speaking] before he replied to Job.

Now Elihu had kept quiet while Job was talking, because they were older than he;

5 But when Elihu realized that the three men had no more to say [MTY] to Job, he became angry.

And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was very angry.

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.

And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, made answer and said, I am young, and you are very old, so I was in fear, and kept myself from putting my knowledge before you.

7 I thought, ‘Let those [PRS] who are much older speak, because older people [should be able to] say things that are wise.’

I said to myself, It is right for the old to say what is in their minds, and for those who are far on in years to give out wisdom.

8 But the Spirit of Almighty [God] is within people, and it is he who enables them to be wise.

But truly it is the spirit in man, even the breath of the Ruler of all, which gives them knowledge.

9 It is not people becoming old that enables them to be wise; not [all] old people understand what is right.

It is not the old who are wise, and those who are full of years have not the knowledge of what is right.

10 “So, I say, ‘Listen to me, and allow me to say what I think.’

So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge.

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.

I was waiting for your words, I was giving ear to your wise sayings; while you were searching out what to say,

12 I paid attention carefully, but surprisingly, none of you were able to prove that what Job said was wrong.

I was taking note; and truly not one of you was able to make clear Job's error, or to give an answer to his words.

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.

Take care that you do not say, Wisdom is here; God may overcome him, but not man.

14 Job was replying to you, [not to me], but I will not reply to him by saying what you three said.

I will not put forward words like these, or make use of your sayings in answer to him.

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].

Fear has overcome them, they have no more answers to give; they have come to an end of words.

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.

And am I to go on waiting while they have nothing to say? while they keep quiet and give no more answers?

17 So [now] I also will reply [to Job] and say what I think.

I will give my answer; I will put forward my knowledge:

18 I have plenty to say, and my spirit compels me to say it.

For I am full of words, I am unable to keep in my breath any longer:

19 My inner being is like [SIM] a (wineskin/bag that has (new/fermenting) wine in it), and it will soon burst.

My stomach is like wine which is unable to get out; like skins full of new wine, it is almost burst.

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].

Let me say what is in my mind, so that I may get comfort; let me give answer with open mouth.

21 I will speak [fairly], not favoring any of you, and I will not try to flatter anyone.

Let me not give respect to any man, or give names of honour to any living.

22 I [really] do not know how to flatter people; and if I did that, God would soon get rid of me.”

For I am not able to give names of honour to any man; and if I did, my Maker would quickly take me away.