Elihu Contradicts Job’s Friends
1 So these three men ceased answering Job, because hewasrighteous in his own eyes.
2 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel theBuzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because hejustified himself rather than God.
3 Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, andyethad condemned Job.
4 Now because theywereyears older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job.
5 When Elihu saw thattherewasno answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.
6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:
# “Iamyoung in years, and youarevery old;
Therefore I was afraid,
And dared not declare my opinion to you.
7 I said, ‘Age should speak,
And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8 Butthereisa spirit in man,
# Andthe breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
9 Great men are notalwayswise,
Nor do the agedalwaysunderstand 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,
Oranswered his words—
13 Lest you say,
‘We have found wisdom’;
God will vanquish him, not man.
14 Now he has not directedhiswords 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 stillandanswered 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 bellyislike winethathas 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,
# Elsemy Maker would soon take meaway.