Job 32

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was a righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel b the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself c rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had d declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:

“I am young in years,
and you are e aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.
 7 I said, ‘Let days speak,
and many years teach wisdom.’
 8 But it is f the spirit in man,
g the breath of the Almighty, that makes him h understand.
 9  i It is not the old ▼
▼ Hebrew many [in years]
 who are wise,
nor the aged who understand what is right.
 10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.’
 11  “Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened for your wise sayings,
while you searched out what to say.
 12 I gave you my attention,
and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job
or who answered his words.
 13 Beware k lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;
God may vanquish him, not a man.’
 14 He has not directed his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your speeches.
 15  “They are dismayed; they answer no more;
they have not a word to say.
 16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak,
because they stand there, and answer no more?
 17 I also will answer with my share;
I also will declare my opinion.
 18 For I am full of words;
the spirit within me constrains me.
 19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;
like new l wineskins ready to burst.
 20  m I must speak, that I may find n relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
 21 I will not o show partiality to any man
or use flattery toward any person.
 22 For I do not know how to flatter,
else my Maker would soon take me away.
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