Job
32
- So these three men stopped answering Job,
because he was righteous in his own eyes.
- But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of
the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather
than God.
- He was also angry with the three friends,
because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.
- Now Elihu had waited before speaking to
Job because they were older than he.
- But when he saw that the three men had nothing
more to say, his anger was aroused.
- So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:
"I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not
daring to tell you what I know.
- I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years
should teach wisdom.'
- But it is the spirit in a man, the breath
of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
- It is not only the old who are wise, not
only the aged who understand what is right.
- "Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too
will tell you what I know.
- I waited while you spoke, I listened to
your reasoning; while you were searching for words,
- I gave you my full attention. But not one
of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.
- Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God
refute him, not man.'
- But Job has not marshaled his words against
me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
- "They are dismayed and have no more
to say; words have failed them.
- Must I wait, now that they are silent, now
that they stand there with no reply ?
- I too will have my say; I too will tell
what I know.
- For I am full of words, and the spirit within
me compels me;
- inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new
wineskins ready to burst.
- I must speak and find relief; I must open
my lips and reply.
- I will show partiality to no one, nor will
I flatter any man;
- for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker
would soon take me away.
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