Job 32

Chapter 32

Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends

1 Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him.3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made Godt appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments.4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he.5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.

6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,
“I am young and you are old,
so I held back from telling you what I think.7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,
for wisdom comes with age.’8 But there is a spiritt within people,
the breath of the Almighty within them,
that makes them intelligent.9 Sometimes the elders are not wise.
Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.10 So listen to me,
and let me tell you what I think.11 “I have waited all this time,
listening very carefully to your arguments,
listening to you grope for words.12 I have listened,
but not one of you has refuted Job
or answered his arguments.13 And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us.
Only God can convince him.’14 If Job had been arguing with me,
I would not answer with your kind of logic!15 You sit there baffled,
with nothing more to say.16 Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent?
Must I also remain silent?17 No, I will say my piece.
I will speak my mind.18 For I am full of pent-up words,
and the spirit within me urges me on.19 I am like a cask of wine without a vent,
like a new wineskin ready to burst!20 I must speak to find relief,
so let me give my answers.21 I won’t play favorites
or try to flatter anyone.22 For if I tried flattery,
my Creator would soon destroy me.

JOB 32

Elihu Is Upset with //Job's Friends

1 Finally, these three men stopped arguing with Job, because he refused to admit he was guilty.
2 Elihu from Buzt was there, and he had become upset with Job for blaming God instead of himself. 3 He was also angry with Job's three friends for not being able to prove that Job was wrong. 4 Elihu was younger than these three, and he let them speak first. 5 But he became irritated when they could not answer Job,

6 and he said to them:
I am much younger than you,
so I have shown respect
by keeping silent.

7 I once believed age
was the source of wisdom;

8 now I truly realize
wisdom comes from God.

9 Age is no guarantee of wisdom
and understanding.

10 That's why I ask you
to listen to me.

I Eagerly Listened

11 I eagerly listened
to each of your arguments,

12 but not one of you proved
Job to be wrong.

13 You shouldn't say,
“We know what's right!
Let God punish him.”

14 Job hasn't spoken against me,
and so I won't answer him
with your arguments.

15 All of you are shocked;
you don't know what to say.

16 But am I to remain silent,
just because you
have stopped speaking?

17 No! I will give my opinion,

18 because I have so much to say,
that I can't keep quiet.

19 I am like a swollen wineskin,
and I will burstt

20 if I don't speak.
*

21 I don't know how to be unfair
or to flatter anyone—

22 if I did, my Creator
would quickly destroy me!