The Preacher's Bible

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. ²Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God. ³Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. ⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. ⁵When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

⁶Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

⁷I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

⁸But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.

⁹It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

¹⁰Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

¹¹“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

¹²Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

¹³Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’

¹⁴for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵“They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.

¹⁶Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

¹⁷I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

¹⁸For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

¹⁹Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

²⁰I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

²¹Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

²²For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.