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32. Elihu Speaks

¹ So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. ² But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. ³ He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God ⁴ Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. ⁵ But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

⁶ So 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.
⁷ I thought, ‘Age should speak;
   advanced years should teach wisdom.’
⁸ But it is the spirit Or Spirit; also in verse 18 in a person,
   the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
⁹ It is not only the old Or many; or great who are wise,
   not only the aged who understand what is right.

    ¹⁰ “Therefore I say: Listen to me;
   I too will tell you what I know.
¹¹ I waited while you spoke,
   I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
    ¹² I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
   none of you has answered his arguments.
¹³ Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;
   let God, not a man, refute him.’
¹⁴ But Job has not marshaled his words against me,
   and I will not answer him with your arguments.

    ¹⁵ “They are dismayed and have no more to say;
   words have failed them.
¹⁶ Must I wait, now that they are silent,
   now that they stand there with no reply?
¹⁷ I too will have my say;
   I too will tell what I know.
¹⁸ For I am full of words,
   and the spirit within me compels me;
¹⁹ inside I am like bottled-up wine,
   like new wineskins ready to burst.
²⁰ I must speak and find relief;
   I must open my lips and reply.
²¹ I will show no partiality,
   nor will I flatter anyone;
²² for if I were skilled in flattery,
   my Maker would soon take me away.