Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
1So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. | 1So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. |
2This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God, | 2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. |
3and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. | 3With Job's three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty. |
4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. | 4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was. |
5But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled. | 5But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry. |
6So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know. | 6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: "I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know. |
7I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom. | 7I said to myself, 'Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.' |
8But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. | 8But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. |
9It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice. | 9It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. |
10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’ | 10Therefore I say, 'Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.' |
11Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words, | 11Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words. |
12I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments. | 12Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements! |
13So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’ | 13So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!' |
14But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments. | 14Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. |
15Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them. | 15"They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say. |
16Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply? | 16And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, |
17I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know. | 17I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. |
18For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me. | 18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. |
19Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin. | 19Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst! |
20I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond. | 20I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer. |
21I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man. | 21I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. |
22For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant. | 22for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me. |
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