Job 32

Elihu Answers in Anger

Then these three men ceased answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned; against Job his anger burned because he was proving himself righteous before God. 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited with his words for Job because they were years older than he. 5 Then Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, so his anger burned. 6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said,

“I am young in years and you are old;

Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you my knowledge.

I thought age should speak,

And increased years should make wisdom known.

But it is a spirit in man,

And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

The abundant in years may not be wise,

Nor may elders understand justice.

So I say, ‘Listen to me,

I too will tell my knowledge.’

“Behold, I waited for your words,

I gave ear to your reasonings,

While you searched out what to say.

I even carefully considered you;

And behold, there was no one who reproved Job,

Not one of you who answered his words.

Lest you say,

‘We have found wisdom;

God will drive him away, not man.’

Now he has not arranged his words against me,

Nor will I respond to him with your words.

“They are dismayed; they no longer answer;

Words have moved away from them.

Shall I wait, because they do not speak,

Because they stand still and no longer answer?

I myself will also answer my share;

I also will tell my knowledge.

For I am full of words;

The spirit within my belly presses me.

Behold, my belly is like unvented wine, not opened;

Like new wineskins it is about to burst.

Let me speak that I may get relief;

Let me open my lips and answer.

Let me now be partial to no one,

Nor flatter any man.

For I do not know how to flatter,

Else my Maker would soon carry me away.

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