Job 32
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1So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.1Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
2But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him.
3He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.3He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments.
4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.4Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they 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 they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.
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.6Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think.
7I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.'7I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’
8But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.8But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent.
9It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.9Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
10"Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.10So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think.
11I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,11“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.
12I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.12I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments.
13Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.'13And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’
14But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.14If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic!
15"They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.15You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say.
16Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?16Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent?
17I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.17No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind.
18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;18For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on.
19inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.19I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst!
20I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.20I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers.
21I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;21I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone.
22for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.22For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me.
New International Version (NIV)

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Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Job 31
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