Job 32:1-22

Elihu Rebukes Job in Anger

¹Then these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. ²But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned against Job; his anger burned because he justified himself before God. ³And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, yet they had condemned Job. ⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. ⁵But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, his anger burned.

⁶So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said,

“I am young in years and you are old;

Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.

7“I thought age should speak,

And increased years should teach wisdom.

8“But it is a spirit that is in mankind,

And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9“The abundant in years may not be wise,

Nor may elders understand justice.

10“So I say, ‘Listen to me,

I too will tell what I think.’

11“Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened to your skillful speech,

While you pondered what to say.

12“I also paid close attention to you;

But indeed, there was no one who refuted Job,

Not one of you who answered his words.

13“So do not say,

‘We have found wisdom:

God will defeat him, not man.’

14“But he has not presented his words against me,

Nor will I reply to him with your arguments.

15“They are dismayed, they no longer answer;

Words have failed them.

16“Should I wait, because they are not speaking,

Because they have stopped and no longer answer?

17“I too will give my share of answers;

I also will tell my opinion.

18“For I am full of words;

The spirit within me compels me.

19“Behold, my belly is like unvented wine;

Like new wineskins, it is about to burst.

20“Let me speak so that I may get relief;

Let me open my lips and answer.

21“Let me be partial to no one,

Nor flatter any man.

22“For I do not know how to flatter,

Otherwise my Maker would quickly take me away.