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