International Standard Version | New International Version |
1These three men stopped responding to Job, because he was claiming to be righteous, in his own opinion. | 1So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. |
2But 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. | 2But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. |
3Furthermore, he was furious with his three friends because they had not answered Job, but instead had condemned him. | 3He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. |
4Elihu waited to have a word with Job, since the others were older than he, | 4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. |
5but when he saw that there had been no response from those three, he got even more angry. | 5But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused. |
6Barachel's son Elihu from Buz responded and said: I'm younger than you are. Because you're older, I was terrified to tell you what I know. | 6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. |
7I thought, experience should speak; abundance of years teaches wisdom. | 7I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' |
8However, a spirit exists in mankind, and the Almighty's breath gives him insight. | 8But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. |
9"The aged aren't always wise, nor do the elderly always understand justice. | 9It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. |
10Therefore I'm saying, 'Listen to me!' Then I'll declare what I know. | 10"Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. |
11"Look! I have waited to hear your speech, so I listened to your insights while you searched for the right words to say. | 11I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, |
12Indeed, I paid close attention to you all, but none of you were able to refute Job or answer his arguments convincingly. | 12I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments. |
13"So that you cannot claim, 'We have found wisdom!' let God do the rebuking, not man; | 13Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.' |
14let him not direct a rebuke toward me. I won't be responding to him with your arguments. | 14But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments. |
15"Job's friends won't reason with him anymore; discouraged, words escape them. | 15"They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them. |
16Shall I continue to wait, since they're no longer talking? After all, they're only standing there; they're no longer responding. | 16Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply? |
17"I will contribute my arguments as an answer; I'll declare what I know, | 17I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know. |
18because I'm filled with things to say, and my spirit within me compels me to speak. | 18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; |
19My insides feel like unvented wine, like it's about to burst like a new wineskin. | 19inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. |
20"Let me speak! I need relief! Let me open my lips and respond. | 20I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply. |
21I won't discriminate against anyone, and I won't flatter any person, | 21I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone; |
22since 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." | 22for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
|