• Elihu Rebukes Job in Anger

  • 1 Then these three men stopped 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 justified himself before God.
  • 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, yet they had condemned Job.
  • 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he.
  • 5 But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, his anger burned.
  • 6 So 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.