Job 32

1 These three men stopped responding to Job, because he was claiming to be righteous, in his own opinion. ^{a32:1 Lit. eyes}ISV — Job 32:1

2 But then Barachel’s son Elihu from Buz, one of Ram’s descendants, got really angry. He was furious with Job because he had been declaring himself righteous instead of vindicating God.ISV — Job 32:2

3 Furthermore, he was furious with his three friends because they had not answered Job, but instead had condemned him.ISV — Job 32:3

4 Elihu waited to have a word with Job, since the others were older than he,ISV — Job 32:4

5 but when he saw that there had been no response ^{b32:5 Lit. mouth} from those three, he got even more angry.ISV — Job 32:5

6 Barachel’s son Elihu from Buz responded and said: I’m younger than you are. Because you’re older, ^{c32:6 Lit. aged} I was terrified to tell you what I know.ISV — Job 32:6

7 I thought, experience ^{d32:7 Lit. days} should speak; abundance of years teaches wisdom.ISV — Job 32:7

8 However, a spirit exists in mankind, and the Almighty’s breath gives him insight.ISV — Job 32:8

9 “The aged aren’t always wise, nor do the elderly always understand justice.ISV — Job 32:9

10 Therefore I’m saying, ‘Listen to me!’ Then I’ll declare what I know.ISV — Job 32:10

11 “Look! I have waited to hear your speech, so I listened to your insights while you searched for the right words to say. ^{e32:11 The Heb. lacks to say}ISV — Job 32:11

12 Indeed, I paid close attention to you all, but none of you were able to refute ^{f32:12 Or rebuke} Job or answer his arguments convincingly.ISV — Job 32:12

13 “So that you cannot claim, ‘We have found wisdom!’ let God do the rebuking, not man;ISV — Job 32:13

14 let him not direct a rebuke toward me. I won’t be responding to him with your arguments.ISV — Job 32:14

15 “Job’s friends ^{g32:15 Lit. They} won’t reason with him anymore; discouraged, words escape them.ISV — Job 32:15

16 Shall I continue to wait, since they’re no longer talking? After all, they’re only standing there; they’re no longer responding.ISV — Job 32:16

17 “I will contribute my arguments ^{h32:17 Lit. portion} as an answer; I’ll declare what I know,ISV — Job 32:17

18 because I’m filled with things to say, and my spirit within me compels me to speak. ^{i32:18 The Heb. lacks to speak}ISV — Job 32:18

19 My insides feel like unvented wine, like it’s about to burst like a new wineskin.ISV — Job 32:19

20 “Let me speak! I need relief! Let me open my lips and respond.ISV — Job 32:20

21 I won’t discriminate against anyone, and I won’t flatter any person,ISV — Job 32:21

22 since I don’t know the first thing about how to flatter; and the one who made me would sweep me away as if I were nothing.”ISV — Job 32:22