Elihu Rebukes Job
1 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes [and could not be persuaded otherwise by them].
2 But Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became indignant. His indignation was kindledandburnedandhe became upset with Job because he justified himself rather than God [and even expressed doubts about God’s character].
3 Elihu’s anger burned against Job’s three friends because they had found no answer [and were unable to determine Job’s error], and yet they had condemned Jobanddeclared him to be in the wrong [and responsible for his own afflictions].
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were years older than he.
5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he burned with anger.
6 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite said,
“I am young, and you are aged;
For that reason I was anxious and dared not tell you what I think.
7 “I thought age should speak,
And a multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 “But there is [a vital force and] a spirit [of intelligence] in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9 “Those [who are] abundantin yearsmay not [always] be wise,
Nor may the elders [always] understand justice.
10 “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;
I also will give you my opinion [about Job’s situation]andtell you plainly what I think.’
11 “You see, I waited for your words,
I listened to your [wise] reasons,
While you ponderedandsearched out what to say.
12 “I even paid close attention to [what] you [said],
Indeed, not one of you convinced Job [nor could you refute him],
Not one of you supplied [satisfactory] answers to his words.
13 “Beware if you say,
‘We have found wisdom;
God thrusts Job down [justly], not man [for God alone is dealing with him].’
14 “Now Job has not directed his words against me [therefore I have no reason to be offended],
Nor will I answer him with arguments like yours. [I speak for truth, not for revenge.]
15 “They (Job’s friends) are dismayedandembarrassed, they no longer answer;
The words have moved awayandfailed them,” [says Elihu].
16 “And shall I wait, because they say nothing,
But stand still and say no more?
17 “I too will give my share of answers;
I too will express my opinionandshare my knowledge.
18 “For I am full of words;
The spirit within me constrains me.
19 “My belly is like unvented wine;
Like new wineskins it is about to burst.
20 “I must speak so that I may get relief;
I will open my lips and answer.
21 “I will not [I warn you] be partial to any man [that is, let my respect for you mitigate what I say];
Nor flatter any man.
22 “For I do not know how to flatter, [in an appropriate way, and I fear that],
My Maker would soon take me away.