Job 32

Elihu Answers in Anger

1 Then these three men ceased answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned; against Job his anger burned because he was proving himself righteous ^{▼▼Or more than; lit from}before God. 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited with his words for Job because they were years older than he. 5 Then Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, so his anger burned.

6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said,

“I am young in years and you are old;
Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you my knowledge.
7 “I ^{▼▼Lit said}thought ^{▼▼Lit days}age should speak,
And ^{▼▼Lit many}increased years should make wisdom known.
8 “But it is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9 “The ^{▼▼Or nobles}abundant in years may not be wise,
Nor may elders understand justice.
10 “So I ^{▼▼Or said}say, ‘Listen to me,
I too will tell my knowledge.’
11 “Behold, I waited for your words,
I gave ear to your reasonings,
While you searched out what to say.
12 “I even carefully considered you;
And behold, there was no one who reproved Job,
Not one of you who answered his words.
13 “Lest you say,
‘We have found wisdom;
God will drive him away, not man.’
14 “Now he has not arranged his words against me,
Nor will I respond to him with your words.
15 “They are dismayed; they no longer answer;
Words have moved away from them.
16 “Shall I wait, because they do not speak,
Because they stand still and no longer answer?
17 “I myself will also answer my share;
I also will tell my knowledge.
18 “For I am full of words;
The spirit within my belly presses me.
19 “Behold, my belly is like unvented wine, not opened;
Like new wineskins it is about to burst.
20 “Let me speak that I may get relief;
Let me open my lips and answer.
21 “Let me now be partial to no one,
Nor flatter any man.
22 “For I do not know how to flatter,
Else my Maker would soon carry me away.