The Book of Job

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 32 -

Elihu contradicts Job's friends

So these three men stopped answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then was kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram; it was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God.

Elihu’s anger was also kindled against his three friends because they had found no answer to Job, and yet they had condemned Job.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the other men were older than he.

However, when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, his anger was kindled.

Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite spoke up and said, “I am young, and you are very old. That is why I held back and did not dare to tell you my own opinion.

I said, “Length of days should speak; a multitude of years should teach wisdom.

But there is a spirit in a man; the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

It is not only the great people who are wise, nor the aged people alone who understand justice.

Therefore, I say to you, ’Listen to me; I will also tell you my knowledge.’

See, I waited for your words; I listened to your arguments while you were thinking about what to say.

Indeed, I paid attention to you, but, see, there was not one of you who could convince Job or who could respond to his words.

Be careful not to say, ‘We have found wisdom!’ God will have to defeat Job; mere man cannot do it.

For Job has not directed his words against me, so I will not answer him with your words.

These three men are dumbfounded; they can answer Job no longer; they have not a word more to say.

Should I wait because they are not speaking, because they stand there silent and answer no more?

No, I also will answer on my part; I will also tell them my knowledge.

For I am full of words; the spirit in me compels me.

See, my breast is like fermenting wine that has no vent; like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.

I will speak so that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.

I will not show favoritism; neither will I give honorific titles to any man.

For I do not know how to give such titles; if I did so, my Maker would soon take me away.

Elihu contradicts Job's friends

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit

(a)

of the Almighty gives them understanding.

It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’

for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

“They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.

Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.

Footnotes

(a)32:8 or, breath