| New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. | 1So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. |
| 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. | 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, |
| 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. | 3and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. |
| 4Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. | 4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. |
| 5But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. | 5But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled. |
| 6Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. | 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. |
| 7I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’ | 7I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom. |
| 8But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. | 8But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. |
| 9Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. | 9It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice. |
| 10So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think. | 10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’ |
| 11“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words. | 11Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words, |
| 12I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments. | 12I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments. |
| 13And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’ | 13So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’ |
| 14If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic! | 14But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments. |
| 15You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say. | 15Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them. |
| 16Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent? | 16Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply? |
| 17No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind. | 17I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know. |
| 18For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on. | 18For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me. |
| 19I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst! | 19Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin. |
| 20I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers. | 20I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond. |
| 21I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone. | 21I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man. |
| 22For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me. | 22For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant. |
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