<< Job 32 >>
New American Standard Bible ©
 

Elihu in Anger Rebukes Job

1 Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned because he justified himself before God. 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned.
6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said,  “I am young in years and you are old;  Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.
7 “I thought age should speak,  And increased years should teach wisdom.
8 “But it is a spirit in man,  And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9 “The abundant in years may not be wise,  Nor may elders understand justice.
10 “So I say, ‘Listen to me,  I too will tell what I think.’
11 “Behold, I waited for your words,  I listened to your reasonings,  While you pondered what to say.
12 “I even paid close attention to you;  Indeed, there was no one who refuted Job,  Not one of you who answered his words.
13 “Do not say,  ‘We have found wisdom;  God will rout him, not man.’
14 “For he has not arranged his words against me,  Nor will I reply to him with your arguments.
15 “They are dismayed, they no longer answer;  Words have failed them.
16 “Shall I wait, because they do not speak,  Because they stop and no longer answer?
17 “I too will answer my share,  I also will tell my opinion.
18 “For I am full of words;  The spirit within me constrains me.
19 “Behold, my belly is like unvented wine,  Like new wineskins it is about to burst.
20 “Let me speak that I may get relief;  Let me open my lips and answer.
21 “Let me now be partial to no one,  Nor flatter any man.
22 “For I do not know how to flatter,  Else my Maker would soon take me away.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.
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