Job 32

1 And these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job's three friends stopped responding to him because he kept on protesting his innocence.

2 Then was kindled the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his anger kindled, because he justified himself rather than God;

Then Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, grew angry. He was angry with Job for claiming he was right rather than God.

3 and against his three friends was his anger kindled, because they found no answer, and [yet] condemned Job.

Elihu was also angry at Job's three friends because they made it seem that God was wrong, because they had not been able to answer Job.

4 But Elihu had waited till Job had finished speaking, because they were older than he.

Elihu had waited to for the other three to speak with Job since they were older than he was.

5 And Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger was kindled.

But when he saw that they could not answer Job, he grew very angry.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are aged; wherefore I was timid, and feared to shew you what I know.

Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, said, “I am young, and you are old, which is why I was reluctant to tell you what I know.

7 I said, Let days speak, and multitude of years teach wisdom.

I told myself, ‘Those who are older should speak—those who are elderly should teach wisdom.’

8 But there is a spirit which is in man; and the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

However, there is a spirit in human beings, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9 It is not the great that are wise; neither do the aged understand judgment.

It is not the old who are wise, or the elderly who know what is right.

10 Therefore I say, Hearken to me; I also will shew what I know.

That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you what I know.

11 Lo, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasonings, until ye searched out what to say.

Well, I waited to hear what you had to say, listening for your insights as you looked for the right words to speak.

12 Yea, I gave you mine attention, and behold, there was none of you that confuted Job, that answered his words;

I paid close attention to all of you, and none of you have proved Job wrong or answered his arguments.

13 That ye may not say, We have found out wisdom; God will make him yield, not man.

Don't say to yourselves, ‘We are so wise,’ for God will prove him wrong, not a human being.

14 Now he hath not directed [his] words against me; and I will not answer him with your speeches. ...

Job didn't line up his arguments against me, and I won't answer him the way you did.

15 They were amazed, they answered no more; words failed them.

You sit there speechless with nothing left to say.

16 And I waited, for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more; —

Should I continue to wait since you're no longer talking, just standing there saying nothing?

17 I will answer, I also in my turn, I also will shew what I know:

No—now I'll give my answer too. I'll tell you what I know.

18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

I have so much to say I can't hold the words back!

19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; like new flasks, it is ready to burst.

Inside I'm like fermenting wine all bottled up; like new wineskins ready to explode!

20 I will speak, that I may find relief; I will open my lips and answer.

I have to speak before I burst; I will open my lips to answer him.

21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither will I give flattery to man.

I will not take sides, and I'm not going to flatter anyone.

22 For I know not how to flatter; my Maker would soon take me away.

I don't know how to flatter, and if I did my Creator would soon destroy me.