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Elihu Talks

32 Then these three men stopped answering Job, because he was right and good in his own eyes. But Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry at Job because he said he was right with God. And he was angry at his three friends because they had found no answer, yet they had said that Job was wrong. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was very angry. So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite said, “I am young, and you are old. So I did not feel that I should speak. I was afraid to tell you what I think. I thought the older men should speak, and that the many years should teach wisdom. But it is the spirit in a man and the breath of the All-powerful that gives him understanding. The old may not be wise. They may not understand what is right and fair. 10 So I say, ‘Listen to me. I also will tell you what I think.’

11 “See, I waited for your words. I listened to what you said and waited to hear more from you. 12 I was careful to listen to you. There was no one who could prove that Job was wrong. None of you could answer his words. 13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom. God will show he is wrong, not man.’ 14 Now Job has not spoken his words against me. And I will not answer him with your words.

15 “They are troubled and have no more to say. Words do not come. 16 Should I wait because they do not speak, because they stand there and do not answer? 17 I also will give my answer. I will tell what I think. 18 For I am full of words. The spirit within me makes me speak. 19 See, my stomach is like wine that cannot get out. It is ready to break like new wine bottles made of skin. 20 Let me speak, that I may find comfort. Let me open my lips and answer. 21 I will not show favor to anyone, or praise any man in a false way. 22 For I do not know how to say sweet-sounding words that are not true, for then my Maker would soon take me away.

Elihu Keeps On Speaking

33 “But now, Job, hear what I say. Listen to all my words. See, I open my mouth. My tongue in my mouth wants to speak. My words come from my heart that is right. My lips speak in truth what I know. The Spirit of God has made me. And the breath of the All-powerful gives me life. Prove me wrong if you can. Get ready to answer me, and take your stand. See, I belong to God like you. I also have been made from the clay. See, you have no reason to be afraid of me. I should not make it hard for you.

“For sure you have spoken in my hearing. I have heard all you have said. You said, ‘I am pure and without sin. I am not guilty, and there is no sin in me. 10 But see, God finds things against me. He thinks of me as someone who hates Him. 11 He puts my feet in chains, and watches all my paths.’ 12 See, I tell you, in this you are not right. For God is greater than man.

13 “Why do you complain against Him? He does not give a reason for all He does. 14 For God speaks once, or twice, and yet no one listens. 15 In a dream, a special dream of the night, when deep sleep comes upon men, while they sleep in their beds, 16 then He opens the ears of men. He teaches them and makes them afraid telling them of danger, 17 that He may turn man away from wrong-doing and keep him from pride. 18 He keeps his soul from going to the place of the dead. And He keeps his life from being destroyed by the sword.

19 “Man is also punished with pain on his bed and has pain all the time in his bones. 20 So he hates bread, and has no desire for fine foods. 21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen. His bones which were not seen stick out. 22 His soul comes close to the grave, and his life to those who bring death.

23 “If there is an angel, one out of a thousand, to speak with God for him, and to show a man what is right for him, 24 then let him be kind to him, and say, ‘Save him from going down to the grave. I have found someone to pay the price to make him free. 25 Let his flesh become young again. Let him return to the days when he was young and strong.’ 26 Then he will pray to God, and God will be pleased with him. He will see His face with joy. And God will make man right with Him again. 27 He will sing to men and say, ‘I have sinned and have not done what is right, but He did not punish me. 28 He has kept my soul from going to the grave. And my life will see the light.’

29 “See, God does all these things twice, even three times, to a man, 30 to turn back his soul from the grave, that he may see the light of life. 31 Hear what I say, O Job, listen to me. Be quiet and let me speak. 32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I want to make you right with God. 33 If not, listen to me. Be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”