Home Master Index
←Prev   Job 32 as rendered by/in  Next→ 



32:1  These three men gave up trying to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
32:2  So Elihu son of Barakel, the Buzite from the clan of Ram, burned with anger. His anger burned against Job because Job had justified himself rather than God.
32:3  His anger also burned against his three companions, because they had no answer for Job, but they nevertheless had condemned him.
32:4  Up to this point, Elihu had held back, and he had not spoken to Job, because the others were older and more experienced than he was.
32:5  When Elihu saw that the three men had no ready answer, his anger burned.
32:6  So Elihu son of Barakel, the Buzite, responded. He said: I am young and inexperienced, and you are aged. That is why I held back, and I was afraid to tell you what I know.
32:7  I thought that experience should speak. Many years should give a man wisdom.
32:8  However, it is the spirit in a man and the breath of the Almighty that give a man understanding.
32:9  It is not just the important men who are wise. The elderly are not the only ones who know how to judge cases.
32:10  That is why I now say, “Listen to me.” I will declare what I know—yes, I will.
32:11  Notice that I waited for you to finish your words. I have listened carefully to your conclusions. The whole time you were searching for the right words,
32:12  I paid attention to you. But look, not one of you showed Job that he was wrong or came up with an answer for Job.
32:13  So do not say, “We have found wisdom, but it is God, not a man, who will have to refute him.”
32:14  Job has not drawn up his speeches against me, so I will not respond to him with arguments like yours.
32:15  Those three are shattered. They no longer respond. They have run out of words.
32:16  I have waited patiently, but since they no longer speak, and they just stand there and do not answer anymore,
32:17  I will now respond with my contribution. I will now declare what I know,
32:18  for I am full of words. A wind in my belly is building up pressure.
32:19  My belly is like unvented wine. I am like a new wineskin ready to burst.
32:20  I intend to speak, so that I can find relief for myself. Let me open my lips and answer.
32:21  I will certainly not show favoritism to any man. I will not address any man with flattering titles,
32:22  because I do not know how to pass out flattering titles. If I did so, my Maker would quickly carry me away.