0 Elihu Contradicts Job’s Friends
1 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job.[a] 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.
6
So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:
“I am young in years, and you are very old;
Therefore I was afraid,
And dared not declare my opinion to you.
7
I said, ‘Age[b] should speak,
And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8
But there is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
9
Great men[c] are not always wise,
Nor do the aged always understand justice.
10
“Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me,
I also will declare my opinion.’
11
Indeed I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.
12
I paid close attention to you;
And surely not one of you convinced Job,
Or answered his words—
13
Lest you say,
‘We have found wisdom’;
God will vanquish him, not man.
14
Now he has not directed his words against me;
So I will not answer him with your words.
15
“They are dismayed and answer no more;
Words escape them.
16
And I have waited, because they did not speak,
Because they stood still and answered no more.
17
I also will answer my part,
I too will declare my opinion.
18
For I am full of words;
The spirit within me compels me.
19
Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent;
It is ready to burst like new wineskins.
20
I will speak, that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
21
Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone;
Nor let me flatter any man.
22
For I do not know how to flatter,
Else my Maker would soon take me away.
