The Book of Job

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- Chapter 32 -

Elihu contradicts Job's friends

Then those three men stopped replying to Job because they could not convince Job that he had done anything wrong.

Then Elihu son of Barakel, a descendant of Buz, from the clan of Ram, became very angry at Job. He was angry because Job continued to claim that he was innocent, and that God had been wrong to punish him.

He was also angry with Job’s three friends because they had declared that Job must have done many things that were wrong, but they could not convince him.

Now Elihu was younger than the others, so he waited until they had finished speaking before he replied to Job.

But when Elihu realized that the three men had no more to say to Job, he became angry.

This is what he said: “I am young, and you all are much older than I am. So I was timid, and I was afraid to tell you what I was thinking.

I said to myself, ’Let those who are much older speak because older people should be able to say things that are wise.’

However, the Spirit of God Almighty is within people, and it is he who enables them to be wise.

Not all people become wise when they are old; not all old people understand what is right.

That is why I say to you now, ’Listen to me, and allow me to declare what I know.’

I waited for you all to speak; I wanted to hear the wise things that you would say. I waited while you thought carefully about what you should say.

I paid attention carefully, but surprisingly, none of you was able to prove that what Job said was wrong.

So do not say to yourselves, ‘We have discovered what is wise!’ It is God who must refute Job because you three have not been able to do that.

Job was replying to you, not to me, so I will not reply to him by saying what you three have said.

I tell myself this: These three men are confused because they have nothing more to say to Job; they have nothing more to say to him.

But because you do not speak, I certainly will not wait any longer; you merely stand there and do not reply anymore.

So now I also will reply to Job and tell him what I know.

I have plenty to say, and my spirit forces me to say it.

My inner being is like a container of wine that is stretching more and more from the fermentation, and it will soon burst.

I must speak in order that I can rest from trying to hold in my words; I must say something to reply to you all.

I will speak fairly, not favoring any of you, and I will not try to flatter anyone.

I really do not know how to flatter people; if I did that, God would soon destroy me.”

Elihu contradicts Job's friends

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then 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.

Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

Elihu 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.

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

But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit

(a)

of the Almighty gives them understanding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Footnotes

(a)32:8 or, breath