The Book of Job

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 32 -

Elihu contradicts Job's friends

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

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.(b)

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

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.(c)

(d)

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

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.(e)

(f)

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

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.(g)

(h)

Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.(i)

They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.(j)

When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.(k)

(l)

Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.(m)

I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.(n)

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Footnotes

(a)32:1 to…: Heb. from answering

(b)32:2 himself: Heb. his soul

(d)32:4 elder: Heb. elder for days

(e)32:6 young: Heb. few of days

(f)32:6 durst…: Heb. feared

(g)32:11 reasons: Heb. understandings

(h)32:11 what…: Heb. words

(i)32:14 directed: or, ordered

(j)32:15 left…: Heb. removed speeches from themselves

(k)32:18 matter: Heb. words

(l)32:18 spirit…: Heb. spirit of my belly

(m)32:19 hath…: Heb. is not opened

(n)32:20 be…: Heb. breathe

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