Elihu Contradicts Job’s Friends
1So these three men ceased answering 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 aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God.
3Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited [a]to speak to Job.
5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.
6So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:
“I am young in years, and you are very old;
Therefore I was afraid,
And dared not declare my opinion to you.
7I said, [b]‘Age should speak,
And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8But there is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
9Great[c] men are not always wise,
Nor do the aged always understand justice.
10“Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me,
I also will declare my opinion.’
11Indeed I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.
12I paid close attention to you;
And surely not one of you convinced Job,
Or answered his words—
13Lest you say,
‘We have found wisdom’;
God will vanquish him, not man.
14Now he has not [d]directed his words against me;
So I will not answer him with your words.
15“They are dismayed and answer no more;
Words escape them.
16And I have waited, because they did not speak,
Because they stood still and answered no more.
17I also will answer my part,
I too will declare my opinion.
18For I am full of words;
The spirit within me compels me.
19Indeed my [e]belly is like wine that has no [f]vent;
It is ready to burst like new wineskins.
20I will speak, that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
21Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone;
Nor let me flatter any man.
22For I do not know how to flatter,
Else my Maker would soon take me away.
