Elihu's Speech

(32.1—37.24)

1Because Job was convinced of his own innocence, the three men gave up trying to answer him. 2But a bystander named Elihu could not control his anger any longer, because Job was justifying himself and blaming God. (Elihu was the son of Barakel, a descendant of Buz, and belonged to the clan of Ram.) 3He was also angry with Job's three friends. They could find no way to answer Job, and this made it appear that God was in the wrong. 4Because Elihu was the youngest one there, he had waited until everyone finished speaking. 5When he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he was angry 6and began to speak.

Elihu

I am young, and you are old,

so I was afraid to tell you what I think.

7I told myself that you ought to speak,

that you older men should share your wisdom.

8But it is the Spirit of Almighty God

that comes to human beings and gives them wisdom.

9It is not growing old that makes people wise

or helps them to know what is right.

10So now I want you to listen to me;

let me tell you what I think.

11I listened patiently while you were speaking

and waited while you searched for wise phrases.

12I paid close attention and heard you fail;

you have not disproved what Job has said.

13How can you claim you have discovered wisdom?

God must answer Job, for you have failed.

14Job was speaking to you, not to me,

but I would never answer as you did.

15Words have failed them, Job;

they have no answer for you.

16Shall I go on waiting when they are silent?

They stand there with nothing more to say.

17No, I will give my own answer now

and tell you what I think.

18I can hardly wait to speak.

I can't hold back the words.

19If I don't get a chance to speak,

I will burst like a wineskin full of new wine.

20I can't stand it; I have to speak.

21I will not take sides in this debate;

I am not going to flatter anyone.

22I don't know how to flatter,

and God would quickly punish me if I did.