Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends

1And these three men ceased from answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

2But the anger of Elihu son of Barachel, the Buzite from the family of Ram, was kindled; his anger was kindled against Job, upon his justifying himself rather than God. 3And his anger was kindled against his three friends, upon that they had not found an answer, and they had declared Job wrong.

4And Elihu had waited with words to Job, because they were older than he in days. 5And Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger was kindled. 6And Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said,

“I am Young in days,

and you⁺ are aged;

upon thus I shrank back,

and I was afraid of declaring my knowledge to you⁺.

7I said, “Days shall speak,

and a multitude of years shall make known wisdom.’

8Surely it is a spirit† in a man,

and the breath of Shaddai† gives them understanding.

9Not only the great in years are wise,

nor do only the aged understand justice.

10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

I will declare my knowledge, even I.’

11Behold, I have waited for your⁺ words;

I gave my ear to your⁺ reasonings,

while you⁺ searched for the words.

12And to you⁺ I attended, and behold,

there was no one proving Job wrong

or answering his words among you⁺,

13lest you⁺ say, ‘We have found wisdom;

let God drive him away, not man.’

14And he has not arrayed his words toward me,

and I will not answer him with your⁺ words.

15They are dismayed, and do not answer anymore;

the words have gone away from them.

16And I have waited, because they do not speak,

because they stand there and do not answer anymore?

17I will answer—even I—my portion;

I will show my knowledge—even I.

18For I am full of words;

the spirit in my belly presses me.

19Behold, my belly is like wine not opened;

like new wineskins, it is bursting open.

20I will speak, and there is refreshment for me;

I will open my lips and answer.

21Do not, please, let me lift up the face of a man; and do not

let me give a title to man.

22For I do not know how to give a title;

soon my Maker would take me away.