The Book of Job

⭑ Literal Standard Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 32 -

Elihu contradicts Job's friends

And these three men cease from answering Job, for he [is] righteous in his own eyes,

and the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite burns, of the family of Ram; his anger has burned against Job, because of his justifying himself more than God;

and his anger has burned against his three friends, because that they have not found an answer, and condemn Job.

And Elihu has waited earnestly beside Job with words, for they are older than he in days.

And Elihu sees that there is no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger burns.

And Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answers and says: “I [am] young in days, and you [are] aged; Therefore I have feared, || And am afraid of showing you my opinion.

I said, Days speak, || And a multitude of years teach wisdom.

Surely a spirit is in man, || And the breath of the Mighty One || Causes them to understand.

The multitude are not wise, || Nor do the aged understand judgment.

Therefore I have said: Listen to me, I show my opinion—even I.

Behold, I have waited for your words, I give ear to your reasons, || Until you search out sayings.

And to you I attend, || And behold, there is no reasoner for Job, || [Or] answerer of his sayings among you.

Lest you say, We have found wisdom, || God thrusts him away, not man.

And he has not set words in array for me, || And I do not answer him with your sayings.

(They have broken down, || They have not answered again, || They removed words from themselves.

And I have waited, but they do not speak, || For they have stood still, || They have not answered anymore.)

I answer, even I—my share, || I show my opinion—even I.

For I have been full of words, || The spirit of my breast has distressed me,

Behold, my breast [is] as wine not opened, || It is broken up like new bottles.

I speak, and there is refreshment to me, || I open my lips and answer.

Please do not let me accept the face of any, || Nor give flattering titles to man,

For I have not known to give flattering titles, || My Maker takes me away in a little.”

Elihu contradicts Job's friends

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

Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit

(a)

of the Almighty gives them understanding.

It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’

for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

“They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.

Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.

Footnotes

(a)32:8 or, breath