Job 32 / 42
- 1
(Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends)
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, although 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 wise sayings,
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;
God may vanquish him, not a man.'
- 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 share;
I also will declare my opinion.
- 18
For I am full of words;
the spirit within me constrains 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 any man
or use flattery toward any person.
- 22
For I do not know how to flatter,
else my Maker would soon take me away.