איוב 32

1 וישבתו שלשת האנשים האלה-- מענות את-איוב כי הוא צדיק בעיניו

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

2 ויחר אף אליהוא בן-ברכאל הבוזי-- ממשפחת-רם באיוב חרה אפו-- על-צדקו נפשו מאלהים

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 ובשלשת רעיו חרה אפו על אשר לא-מצאו מענה-- וירשיעו את-איוב

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 ואליהו--חכה את-איוב בדברים כי זקנים-המה ממנו לימים

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

5 וירא אליהוא--כי אין מענה בפי שלשת האנשים ויחר אפו

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

6 ויען אליהוא בן ברכאל הבוזי-- ויאמר צעיר אני לימים ואתם ישישים על-כן זחלתי ואירא מחות דעי אתכם

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 אמרתי ימים ידברו ורב שנים ידיעו חכמה

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 אכן רוח-היא באנוש ונשמת שדי תבינם

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

9 לא-רבים יחכמו וזקנים יבינו משפט

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

10 לכן אמרתי שמעה-לי אחוה דעי אף-אני

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

11 הן הוחלתי לדבריכם--אזין עד-תבונתיכם עד-תחקרון מלין

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

12 ועדיכם אתבונן והנה אין לאיוב מוכיח--עונה אמריו מכם

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 פן-תאמרו מצאנו חכמה אל ידפנו לא-איש

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

14 ולא-ערך אלי מלין ובאמריכם לא אשיבנו

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

15 חתו לא-ענו עוד העתיקו מהם מלים

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

16 והוחלתי כי-לא ידברו כי עמדו לא-ענו עוד

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

17 אענה אף-אני חלקי אחוה דעי אף-אני

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

18 כי מלתי מלים הציקתני רוח בטני

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

19 הנה-בטני--כיין לא-יפתח כאבות חדשים יבקע

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

20 אדברה וירוח-לי אפתח שפתי ואענה

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

21 אל-נא אשא פני-איש ואל-אדם לא אכנה

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

22 כי לא ידעתי אכנה כמעט ישאני עשני

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