Job 32 - ESV Online - Literal Word

JOB 32

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends

32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:

“I am young in years,

and you are aged;

therefore I was timid and afraid

to declare my opinion to you. 7

I said, ‘Let days speak,

and many years teach wisdom.’ 8

But it is the spirit in man,

the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. 9

It is not the old who are wise,

nor the aged who understand what is right. 10

Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

let me also declare my opinion.’
11

“Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened for your wise sayings,

while you searched out what to say. 12

I gave you my attention,

and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job

or who answered his words. 13

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;

God may vanquish him, not a man.’ 14

He has not directed his words against me,

and I will not answer him with your speeches.
15

“They are dismayed; they answer no more;

they have not a word to say. 16

And shall I wait, because they do not speak,

because they stand there, and answer no more? 17

I also will answer with my share;

I also will declare my opinion. 18

For I am full of words;

the spirit within me constrains me. 19

Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;

like new wineskins ready to burst. 20

I must speak, that I may find relief;

I must open my lips and answer. 21

I will not show partiality to any man

or use flattery toward any person. 22

For I do not know how to flatter,

else my Maker would soon take me away.

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ESV® Permanent Text Edition (2016). The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers.