| New International Version | 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. |
| 2But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with 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. |
| 3He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way 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 before speaking to Job because they 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 nothing more to say, his anger was aroused. | 5But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry. |
| 6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring 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, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' | 7I said to myself, 'Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.' |
| 8But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them 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, not only the aged who understand what is right. | 9It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. |
| 10"Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. | 10Therefore I say, 'Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.' |
| 11I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, | 11Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words. |
| 12I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered 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! |
| 13Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.' | 13So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!' |
| 14But Job has not marshaled 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. |
| 15"They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed 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 there with no reply? | 16And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, |
| 17I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know. | 17I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. |
| 18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; | 18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. |
| 19inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. | 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 reply. | 20I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer. |
| 21I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone; | 21I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. |
| 22for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away. | 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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