7 I thought, ‘Age should speak;

advanced years should teach wisdom.’

8 But it is the spirit in a person,

the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9 It is not only the old 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,

7 I said, Days should speak,

And multitude of years should teach wisdom.

8 But there is a spirit in man:

And the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

9 Great men are not always wise:

Neither do the aged understand judgment.

10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me;

I also will shew mine opinion.

11 Behold, I waited for your words;

I gave ear to your reasons,

Whilst ye searched out what to say.

7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,

for wisdom comes with age.’

8 But there is a spirit within people,

the breath of the Almighty within them,

that makes them intelligent.

9 Sometimes the elders are not wise.

Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.

10 So listen to me,

and let me tell you what I think.

11 “I have waited all this time,

listening very carefully to your arguments,

listening to you grope for words.

7 I said, ‘Age should speak,

And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

8 But there is a spirit in man,

And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

9 Great men are not always wise,

Nor do the aged always understand justice.

10 “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me,

I also will declare my opinion.’

11 Indeed I waited for your words,

I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.

7 I thought, ‘Older people should speak,

and those who have lived many years should teach wisdom.’

8 But it is the spirit in a person,

the breath of the Almighty, that gives understanding.

9 It is not just older people who are wise;

they are not the only ones who understand what is right.

10 So I say, listen to me.

I too will tell you what I know.

11 I waited while you three spoke,

and listened to your explanations.

While you looked for words to use,

7 I said, Days should speak,

And multitude of years should teach wisdom.

8 But there is a spirit in man,

And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

9 It is not the great that are wise,

Nor the aged that understand justice.

10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me;

I also will show mine opinion.

11 Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened for your reasonings,

Whilst ye searched out what to say.

7 I said, Let days speak, and multitude of years teach wisdom. 8 But there is a spirit which is in man; and the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9 It is not the great that are wise; neither do the aged understand judgment. 10 Therefore I say, Hearken to me; I also will shew what I know. 11 Lo, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasonings, until ye searched out what to say.

7 I thought, ‘Age should speak, 

and experience should teach wisdom.’ 

8 However, there is in humans a Spirit, 

the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. 

9 People do not become wise merely because they live long. 

They don’t understand what justice is merely because they’re old. 

10 “That is why I say, ‘Listen to me! 

Let me tell you what I know.’ 

11 I waited for you to speak. 

I listened for you to share your understanding 

until you could find the right words. 

7 I thought that age should speak

and maturity should teach wisdom.

8 But it is a spirit in man

and the breath of the Almighty

that give him understanding.

9 It is not only the old who are wise

or the elderly who understand how to judge.

10 Therefore I say, “Listen to me.

I too will declare what I know.”

11 Look, I waited for your conclusions;

I listened to your insights

as you sought for words.

7 I said, ‘Let days speak,

and many years teach wisdom.’

8 But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,

the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding.

9 It is not the old that are wise,

nor the aged that understand what is right.

10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

let me also declare my opinion.’

11 “See, I waited for your words,

I listened for your wise sayings,

while you searched out what to say.

7 I thought, ‘Let days speak,

and let many years teach wisdom.’

8 “Truly, it is a spirit in a human being,

and the breath of Shaddai teaches them.

9 It is not the aged who are wise,

or it is not the elders who understand justice.

10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

let me also declare my knowledge myself.’

11 “Look, I waited for your words;

I listened for your insight,

until you searched out what to say.

7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak first.

Those who have lived for many years

should teach people how to be wise.’

8 But the spirit in people gives them understanding.

The breath of the Mighty One gives them wisdom.

9 Older people aren’t the only ones who are wise.

They aren’t the only ones who understand what is right.

10 “So I’m saying you should listen to me.

I’ll tell you what I know.

11 I waited while you men spoke.

I listened to your reasoning.

While you were searching for words,

7 “I thought age should speak,

And increased years should teach wisdom.

8 “But it is a spirit in man,

And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9 “The abundant in years may not be wise,

Nor may elders understand justice.

10 “So I say, ‘Listen to me,

I too will tell what I think.’

11 “Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened to your reasonings,

While you pondered what to say.