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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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

But Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, 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 Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.

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 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.

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

And I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years [men] know 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 mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.

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

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

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

Therefore I said, Hear me, and I will 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

And you have commissioned a man to speak such words.

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].

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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