Job 32

¹ So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

² Then 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.

³ He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong.

⁴ Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.

⁵ And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

⁶ And 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.

⁷ I said, 'Let days speak,
and many years teach wisdom.'

⁸ But it is the spirit in man,
the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

⁹ It is not the old who are wise,
nor the aged who understand what is right.

¹⁰ Therefore I say, 'Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.'

¹¹ Behold, I waited for your words;
I listened for your wisdom,
while you searched out what to say.

¹² I gave you my attention,
and behold, there was none among you who refuted Job,
or who answered his words.

¹³ Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom;
let God, not man, drive him from us.'

¹⁴ He has not directed his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵ They are dismayed; they answer no more;
they have not a word to say.

¹⁶ And shall I wait, because they do not speak,
because they stand there, and answer no more?

¹⁷ I also will answer with my part;
I also will declare my opinion.

¹⁸ For I am full of words;
the spirit within me compels me.

¹⁹ Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;
like new wineskins ready to burst.

²⁰ I must speak, that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.

²¹ I will not show partiality to anyone;
nor will I flatter any man.

²² For I do not know how to flatter;
my Maker would soon take me away.