Job 32

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

But these three men ceased to answer Job, because he considered himself justified.

2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

And Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, was angry and indignant. But he was angry against Job because he described himself to be just in the presence of God.

3 Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Moreover, he was indignant with his friends because they had not found a reasonable response, except in so far as they condemned Job.

4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

Therefore, Eliu waited while Job was talking, for these were his elders that were speaking.

5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

But when he saw that these three were not able to respond, he was extremely angry.

6 Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

And so Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite responded by saying: I am younger in years, and you are more ancient; therefore, I kept my head low, for I was afraid to reveal to you my opinion.

7 I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

For I had hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom.

8 But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.

But I see now that there is only breath in men, and that it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives understanding.

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

The wise are not the aged, nor do the elders understand judgment.

10 Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

Therefore, I will speak. Listen to me, and so I will show you my wisdom.

11 “Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

For I have endured your words; I have paid attention to your deliberations, while you were being argumentative with words.

12 Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, amongst you.

And as long as I supposed that you were saying something, I considered; but now I see that there is none of you that is able to argue with Job and to respond to his words.

13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’

So that you will not say, “We have found wisdom,” God has thrown him down, not man.

14 for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

He has said nothing to me, and I will not respond to him according to your words.

15 “They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.

Then they were filled with dread, and so they no longer responded, and they withdrew from their speechmaking.

16 Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

Therefore, because I have waited and they have not been speaking, for they stood firm and did not respond at all,

17 I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

I also will answer in my turn, and I will reveal my knowledge.

18 For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

For I am full of words, and the feeling in my gut inspires me.

19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

Yes, my stomach is like fermenting wine without a vent, which bursts the new containers.

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

I should speak, but I will also breathe a little; I will open my lips, and I will answer.

21 Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

I will not esteem the reputation of a man, and I will not equate God with man.

22 For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.

For I do not know how long I will continue, and whether, after a while, my Maker might take me away.