Job 32:1–22

Elihu

32 So these three men stopped answering Job,k because he was righteous in his own eyes.l 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,m of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himselfn rather than God.o 3 He was also angry with the three friends,p because they had found no way to refute Job,q and yet had condemned him.a r 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.s 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;t

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.’u

8 But it is the spiritb v in a person,

the breath of the Almighty,w that gives them understanding.x

9 It is not only the oldc who are wise,y

not only the agedz who understand what is right.a

10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me;b

I too will tell you what I know.c

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.d

13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;e

let God, not a man, refutef him.’

14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,g

and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say;

words have failed them.h

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.i

18 For I am full of words,

and the spiritj within me compels me;k

19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,

like new wineskins ready to burst.l

20 I must speak and find relief;

I must open my lips and reply.m

21 I will show no partiality,n

nor will I flatter anyone;o

22 for if I were skilled in flattery,

my Makerp would soon take me away.q