Old Testament · Job

Job 32

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends

1And these three men^a shabbatted from answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

2And the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled; against Job his anger was kindled, because he justified his soul^b rather than God. 3And against his three friends his anger was kindled, because they found no answer, and yet they condemned Job.

4And Elihu had waited for Job with words, because they were older than he in days. 5And Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger was kindled. 6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, "I am young in days, and you are aged; therefore I shrank back and was afraid to declare my opinion to you.

7I said, 'Days should speak, and a multitude of years should make wisdom known.'
8Surely it is a spirit^c in man, and the breath^d of Shaddai gives them understanding.
9Not the many are wise, nor do the aged understand judgment^e.
10Therefore I say, hear me; I also will declare my opinion.
11Behold, I waited for your words, I gave ear to your reasonings, while you searched out words.
12And to you I gave attention, and behold, there was none who convinced Job, none who answered his words among you.
13Lest you say, 'We have found wisdom; God thrusts him away, not man.'
14And he has not set words in order against me, and with your sayings I will not answer him.
15They are dismayed, they answer no more; words have moved away from them.
16And I waited, because they do not speak, because they stand and answer no more.
17I will answer, I also, my part; I will declare my opinion, I also.
18For I am full of words; the spirit of my belly constrains me.
19Behold, my belly is like wine that is not opened, like new wineskins it bursts.
20I will speak, that I may find relief; I will open my lips and answer.
21Let me not, I pray, lift up the face of a man, and to man^f I will not give flattering titles.
22For I do not know how to give flattering titles; soon my Maker would take me away.