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.