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Introduction of Elihu

32 These three men stopped answering Job because he thought he was righteous.[a] Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the clan of Ram was angry, angry with Job because he considered himself more righteous than God. He was also angry with his three friends because they hadn’t found an answer but nevertheless thought Job wicked. Elihu had waited while Job spoke, for they were older than he. When Elihu saw that there had been no response in the speeches of the three men, he became very angry.

Elihu’s justification for speaking

Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said:
I’m young and you’re old,
    so I held back, afraid to express my opinion to you.
I thought, Let days speak;
    let multiple years make wisdom known.
But the spirit in a person,
    the Almighty’s breath, gives understanding.
The advanced in days aren’t wise;
    the old don’t understand what’s right.
10 Therefore, I say: “Listen to me;
    I’ll state my view, even I.”
11 Look, I waited while you spoke,
    listened while you reasoned,
    while you searched for words.
12 I was attentive to you,
    but you offered no rebuke to Job,
    no answer from you for his words.
13 Be careful you don’t say, “We’ve found wisdom;
    God, not a person, will defeat him.”

14 Now Job[b] hasn’t addressed me,
    and I won’t quote you to him.
15 They are troubled, no longer answer;
    words now escape them.
16 I waited, but they didn’t speak,
    for they stood but answered no more.
17 I will answer. Indeed, I will state[c] my piece;
    I too will declare my view,
18         for I’m full of words.
The spirit in my belly compels me.
19     Look, my belly is like unopened wine;
        like new wineskins it will burst.
20 I will speak and get relief;
    I will open my lips and respond.
21 I won’t be partial to anyone,
        won’t flatter a person;
22         for I don’t know flattery;
    otherwise my maker would quickly whisk me away.

Footnotes

  1. Job 32:1 Or was righteous in his own eyes
  2. Job 32:14 Or he
  3. Job 32:17 Heb lacks will state.

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