| 1So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. | 1So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. |
| 2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. | 2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. |
| 3With Job's three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty. | 3With Job's three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty. |
| 4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was. | 4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was. |
| 5But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry. | 5But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry. |
| 6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: "I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know. | 6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: "I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know. |
| 7I said to myself, 'Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.' | 7I said to myself, 'Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.' |
| 8But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. | 8But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. |
| 9It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. | 9It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. |
| 10Therefore I say, 'Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.' | 10Therefore I say, 'Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.' |
| 11Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words. | 11Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words. |
| 12Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements! | 12Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements! |
| 13So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!' | 13So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!' |
| 14Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. | 14Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. |
| 15"They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say. | 15"They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say. |
| 16And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, | 16And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, |
| 17I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. | 17I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. |
| 18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. | 18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. |
| 19Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst! | 19Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst! |
| 20I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer. | 20I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer. |
| 21I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. | 21I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. |
| 22for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me. | 22for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me. |
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