Job 32 — NETB
32Verse 1So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes.Verse 2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.Verse 3With Job’s three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty.Verse 4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was.Verse 5But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry.
that is why I was fearful,
and afraid to explain to you what I know.
Verse 7I said to myself, ‘Age should speak,
and length of years should make wisdom known.’
Verse 8But it is a spirit in people,
the breath of the Almighty,
that makes them understand.
Verse 9It is not the aged who are wise,
nor old men who understand what is right.
Verse 10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me.
I, even I, will explain what I know.’
Verse 11Look, I waited for you to speak;
I listened closely to your wise thoughts, while you were searching for words.
Verse 12Now I was paying you close attention,
yet there was no one proving Job wrong,
not one of you was answering his statements!
Verse 13So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom!
God will refute him, not man!’
Verse 14Job has not directed his words to me,
and so I will not reply to him with your arguments.
they have nothing left to say.
Verse 16And I have waited. But because they do not speak,
because they stand there and answer no more,
Verse 17I too will answer my part,
I too will explain what I know.
Verse 18For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me constrains me.
Verse 19Inside I am like wine which has no outlet,
like new wineskins ready to burst!
Verse 20I will speak, so that I may find relief;
I will open my lips, so that I may answer.
Verse 21I will not show partiality to anyone,
nor will I confer a title on any man.
Verse 22for I do not know how to give honorary titles,
if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.
Elihu Claims Wisdom
Verse 6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up:“I am young, but you are elderly;that is why I was fearful,
and afraid to explain to you what I know.
Verse 7I said to myself, ‘Age should speak,
and length of years should make wisdom known.’
Verse 8But it is a spirit in people,
the breath of the Almighty,
that makes them understand.
Verse 9It is not the aged who are wise,
nor old men who understand what is right.
Verse 10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me.
I, even I, will explain what I know.’
Verse 11Look, I waited for you to speak;
I listened closely to your wise thoughts, while you were searching for words.
Verse 12Now I was paying you close attention,
yet there was no one proving Job wrong,
not one of you was answering his statements!
Verse 13So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom!
God will refute him, not man!’
Verse 14Job has not directed his words to me,
and so I will not reply to him with your arguments.
Job’s Friends Failed to Answer
Verse 15“They are dismayed and cannot answer any more;they have nothing left to say.
Verse 16And I have waited. But because they do not speak,
because they stand there and answer no more,
Verse 17I too will answer my part,
I too will explain what I know.
Verse 18For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me constrains me.
Verse 19Inside I am like wine which has no outlet,
like new wineskins ready to burst!
Verse 20I will speak, so that I may find relief;
I will open my lips, so that I may answer.
Verse 21I will not show partiality to anyone,
nor will I confer a title on any man.
Verse 22for I do not know how to give honorary titles,
if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.