< Job 32 >

1 And his three friends also ceased any longer to answer Job: for Job was righteous before them.
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then Elius the son of Barachiel, the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, of the country of Ausis, was angered: and he was very angry with Job, because he justified himself before the Lord.
Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barakel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
3 And he was also very angry with [his] three friends, because they were not able to return answers to Job, yet set him down for an ungodly man.
Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 But Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, because they were older than he.
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.
5 And Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.
When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
6 And Elius the Buzite the son of Barachiel answered and said, I am younger in age, and ye are elder, wherefore I kept silence, fearing to declare to you my own knowledge.
Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and did not dare show you my opinion.
7 And I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years [men] know wisdom:
I said, 'Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.'
8 but there is a spirit in mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.
But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of Shaddai gives them understanding.
9 The long-lived are not wise [as such]; neither do the aged know judgment.
It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.
10 Wherefore I said, Hear me, and I will tell you what I know.
Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.'
11 Hearken to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until ye shall have tried [the matter] with words:
"Look, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
12 and I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,
Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.
13 lest ye should say, We have found that we have added wisdom to the Lord.
Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;'
14 And ye have commissioned a man to speak such words.
for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 They were afraid, they answered no longer; they gave up their speaking.
"They are amazed. They answer no more. They do not have a word to say.
16 I waited, (for I had not spoken, ) because they stood still, they answered not.
Shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?
17 And Elius continued, and said, I will again speak,
I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.
18 for I am full of words, for the spirit of my belly destroys me.
For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.
19 And my belly is as a skin of sweet wine, bound up [and] ready to burst; or as a brazier's labouring bellows.
Look, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
20 I will speak, that I may open my lips and relieve myself.
I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
21 For truly I will not be awed because of man, nor indeed will I be confounded before a mortal.
Please do not let me respect any man's person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
22 For I know not how to respect persons: and if otherwise, even the moths would eat me.
For I do not know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.

< Job 32 >