• Elihu

  • 1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
  • 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.
  • 3 He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.
  • 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.
  • 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
  • 6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: “I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know.
  • 7 I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’
  • 8 But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
  • 9 It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
  • 10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.
  • 11 I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,
  • 12 I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.
  • 13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.’
  • 14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
  • 15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.
  • 16 Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?
  • 17 I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.
  • 18 For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;
  • 19 inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.
  • 20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.
  • 21 I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;
  • 22 for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.