• Elihu Answers in Anger

  • 1 Then these three men ceased answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes.
  • 2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned; against Job his anger burned because he was proving himself righteous before God.
  • 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
  • 4 Now Elihu had waited with his words for Job because they were years older than he.
  • 5 Then Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, so his anger burned.
  • 6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, “I am young in years and you are old; Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you my knowledge.
  • 7 “I thought age should speak, And increased years should make wisdom known.
  • 8 “But it is a spirit in man, 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 my knowledge.’
  • 11 “Behold, I waited for your words, I gave ear to your reasonings, While you searched out what to say.
  • 12 “I even carefully considered you; And behold, there was no one who reproved Job, Not one of you who answered his words.
  • 13 “Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God will drive him away, not man.’
  • 14 “Now he has not arranged his words against me, Nor will I respond to him with your words.
  • 15 “They are dismayed; they no longer answer; Words have moved away from them.
  • 16 “Shall I wait, because they do not speak, Because they stand still and no longer answer?
  • 17 “I myself will also answer my share; I also will tell my knowledge.
  • 18 “For I am full of words; The spirit within my belly presses me.
  • 19 “Behold, my belly is like unvented wine, not opened; Like new wineskins it is about to burst.
  • 20 “Let me speak that I may get relief; Let me open my lips and answer.
  • 21 “Let me now be partial to no one, Nor flatter any man.
  • 22 “For I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon carry me away.