| English Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. | 1Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. |
| 2Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. | 2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. |
| 3He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. | 3He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. |
| 4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. | 4Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. |
| 5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. | 5But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. |
| 6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. | 6Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. |
| 7I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ | 7I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’ |
| 8But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. | 8But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. |
| 9It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. | 9Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. |
| 10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’ | 10So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think. |
| 11“Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say. | 11“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words. |
| 12I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words. | 12I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments. |
| 13Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.’ | 13And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’ |
| 14He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches. | 14If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic! |
| 15“They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say. | 15You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say. |
| 16And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? | 16Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent? |
| 17I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion. | 17No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind. |
| 18For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. | 18For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on. |
| 19Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. | 19I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst! |
| 20I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. | 20I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers. |
| 21I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. | 21I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone. |
| 22For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away. | 22For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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