Job 32:1-21 ▼

1 These three men stopped responding to Job, because he was claiming to be righteous, in his own opinion.

2 But then Barachel's son Elihu from Buz, one of Ram's descendants, got really angry. He was furious with Job because he had been declaring himself righteous instead of vindicating God.

3 Furthermore, he was furious with his three friends because they had not answered Job, but instead had condemned him.

4 Elihu waited to have a word with Job, since the others were older than he,

5 but when he saw that there had been no response from those three, he got even more angry.

6 Barachel's son Elihu from Buz responded and said: I'm younger than you are. Because you're older, I was terrified to tell you what I know.

7 I thought, experience should speak; abundance of years teaches wisdom.

8 However, a spirit exists in mankind, and the Almighty's breath gives him insight.

9 |The aged aren't always wise, nor do the elderly always understand justice.

10 Therefore I'm saying, 'Listen to me!' Then I'll declare what I know.

11 |Look! I have waited to hear your speech, so I listened to your insights while you searched for the right words to say.

12 Indeed, I paid close attention to you all, but none of you were able to refute Job or answer his arguments convincingly.

13 |So that you cannot claim, 'We have found wisdom!' let God do the rebuking, not man;

14 let him not direct a rebuke toward me. I won't be responding to him with your arguments.

15 |Job's friends won't reason with him anymore; discouraged, words escape them.

16 Shall I continue to wait, since they're no longer talking? After all, they're only standing there; they're no longer responding.

17 |I will contribute my arguments as an answer; I'll declare what I know,

18 because I'm filled with things to say, and my spirit within me compels me to speak.

19 My insides feel like unvented wine, like it's about to burst like a new wineskin.

20 |Let me speak! I need relief! Let me open my lips and respond.

21 I won't discriminate against anyone, and I won't flatter any person,