Job 32

1 So 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 wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath 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 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had 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 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

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

5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath 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 very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not show you my opinion.

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, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

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

8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

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

9 Great men are not always 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 said, Hearken to me; I also will show my opinion.

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

11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, while 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 attended to you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or 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 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, 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: neither will I 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: they stopped speaking.

You sit there speechless with nothing left to say.

16 When I had 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 said, I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion.

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; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

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

20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: 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 let me give flattering titles to man.

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

22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

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