Job 32

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

So these three men gave no more answers to Job, because he seemed to himself to be right.

2 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.

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 Elihu's anger was also kindled against his three friends because they had found no answer to Job, and yet they had condemned 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 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the other men were older than he.

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

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

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

6 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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