Job 32:15–22

“They are dismayed and have no more to say;

words have failed them.

Must I wait, now that they are silent,

now that they stand there with no reply?

I too will have my say;

I too will tell what I know.

For I am full of words,

and the spirit within me compels me;

inside I am like bottled-up wine,

like new wineskins ready to burst.

I must speak and find relief;

I must open my lips and reply.

I will show no partiality,

nor will I flatter anyone;

for if I were skilled in flattery,

my Maker would soon take me away.

Job’s friends are dismayed and can no longer answer;

words have left them.

Should I continue to wait now that they are silent,

now that they stand there and no longer answer?

I too will answer;

yes, I will tell what I know.

For I am full of words,

and my spirit compels me to speak.

My heart is like unvented wine;

it is about to burst like new wineskins.

I must speak so that I can find relief;

I must open my lips and respond.

I will be partial to no one,

and I will not give anyone an undeserved title.

For I do not know how to give such titles;

otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.

You sit there baffled,

with nothing more to say.

Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent?

Must I also remain silent?

No, I will say my piece.

I will speak my mind.

For I am full of pent-up words,

and the spirit within me urges me on.

I am like a cask of wine without a vent,

like a new wineskin ready to burst!

I must speak to find relief,

so let me give my answers.

I won’t play favorites

or try to flatter anyone.

For if I tried flattery,

my Creator would soon destroy me.

“They are dismayed; they no longer answer;

they have nothing to say.

And I have waited because they do not speak,

because they stand there and no longer answer.

I myself will answer my share also;

I myself will declare my knowledge also,

for I am full of words;

the spirit within me urges me.

“Look, my internal organs are like unopened wine,

like new wineskins it is ready to burst open.

Let me speak that I may find relief;

let me open my lips, and let me answer.

Please let me not show partiality to anyone,

and let me not show flattery to human beings,

for I do not know how to flatter,

else my Maker would soon put an end to me.

They were amazed, they answered no more:

They left off speaking.

When I had waited, (for they spake not,

But stood still, and answered no more;)

I said, I will answer also my part,

I also will shew mine opinion.

For I am full of matter,

The spirit within me constraineth me.

Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent;

It is ready to burst like new bottles.

I will speak, that I may be refreshed:

I will open my lips and answer.

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person,

Neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

For I know not to give flattering titles;

In so doing my maker would soon take me away.