Elihu’s speech
32
📚✭So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 📚✭Then the anger of Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job. His anger burned because Job justified himself rather than God.
3 📚✭Also his anger was aroused against his three friends, because they had found no answer, yet had condemned Job.
4 📚Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.
5 📚When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his anger was aroused.
6 📚And Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite answered and said, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I was afraid and dared not express my opinion.
7 📚I told myself that age✭ should speak, and advanced✭ years should teach wisdom.
8 📚✭But there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding.
9 📚Great men are not always wise; nor do the aged always understand justice.
10 📚Therefore I say, Listen to me. I also will express my opinion.
11 📚Look, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, while you searched for what to say.
12 📚✭Yes, I paid close attention to you, and, look, none of you convinced Job, or answered his words.
13 📚Do not say ‘We have found wisdom. God will bring him down, not man.’
14 Now he has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your words.
15 📚“They are dismayed and give no further answer; words have failed them.
16 📚I have been waiting, but they did not speak, but stood there and gave no further answer.
17 📚I too will take my part in answering, I too will express my opinion.
18 📚✭For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me to speak.
19 📚Indeed my inner being is like wine without a vent; it is ready to burst like new wineskins.
20 📚I will speak, so that I may find relief. I will open my lips and answer.
21 📚✭Please, I will not show favoritism to anyone, or flatter any man.
22 📚For I do not know how to flatter; if I did, my Maker would soon take me away.