Job

Elihu’s Angry Response

32 †So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.  2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite  from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified  himself rather than God. 3 He was also angry at Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him. 

4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he. 5 But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry.

6 So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite replied:

I am young in years,while you are old;therefore I was timid and afraidto tell  you what I know.7 I thought that age should speakand maturity should teach wisdom.8 But it is a spirit in man Aand the breath  of the •Almightythat give him understanding.9 It is not only the old who are wiseor the elderly who understand how to judge.10 Therefore I say, “Listen to me.I too will declare what I know.”11 Look, I waited for your conclusions;I listened to your insightsas you sought for words.12 I paid close attention to you.Yet no one proved Job wrong;not one of you refuted his arguments.13 So do not claim, “We have found wisdom;let God deal with him, not man.”14 But Job has not directed his argument to me,and I will not respond to him with your arguments.

15 Job’s friends are dismayed and can no longer answer;words have left them.16 Should I continue to wait now that they are silent,now that they stand there and no longer answer?17 I too will answer; Byes, I will tell what I know.18 For I am full of words,and my spirit C compels me to speak. 19 My heart D is like unvented wine;it is about to burst like new wineskins. 20 I must speak so that I can find relief;I must open my lips and respond.21 I will be partial to no one, and I will not give anyone an undeserved title.22 For I do not know how to give such titles;otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.