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.
Job's three friends stopped responding to him because he kept on protesting his innocence.
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].
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.
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.
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.
4 Elihu was younger than the others, so he waited [until they had finished speaking] before he replied to Job.
Elihu had waited to for the other three to speak with Job since they were older than he was.
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 they could not answer Job, he grew 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.
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.
7 I thought, ‘Let those [PRS] who are much older speak, because older people [should be able to] say things that are wise.’
I told myself, ‘Those who are older should speak—those who are elderly should teach wisdom.’
8 But the Spirit of Almighty [God] is within people, and it is he who enables them to be wise.
However, there is a spirit in human beings, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them 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 the old who are wise, or the elderly who know what is right.
10 “So, I say, ‘Listen to me, and allow me to say what I think.’
That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you 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.
Well, I waited to hear what you had to say, listening for your insights as you looked for the right words to speak.
12 I paid attention carefully, but surprisingly, none of you were able to prove that what Job said was wrong.
I paid close attention to all of you, and none of you have proved Job wrong or answered 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.
Don't say to yourselves, ‘We are so wise,’ for God will prove him wrong, not a human being.
14 Job was replying to you, [not to me], but I will not reply to him by saying what you three said.
Job didn't line up his arguments against me, and I won't answer him the way you did.
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].
You sit there speechless with nothing left to say.
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.
Should I continue to wait since you're no longer talking, just standing there saying nothing?
17 So [now] I also will reply [to Job] and say what I think.
No—now I'll give my answer too. I'll tell you what I know.
18 I have plenty to say, and my spirit compels me to say it.
I have so much to say I can't hold the words back!
19 My inner being is like [SIM] a (wineskin/bag that has (new/fermenting) wine in it), and it will soon burst.
Inside I'm like fermenting wine all bottled up; like new wineskins ready to explode!
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 have to speak before I burst; I will open my lips to answer him.
21 I will speak [fairly], not favoring any of you, and I will not try to flatter anyone.
I will not take sides, and I'm not going to flatter anyone.
22 I [really] do not know how to flatter people; and if I did that, God would soon get rid of me.”
I don't know how to flatter, and if I did my Creator would soon destroy me.
