King James Bible

New International Version

Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Elihu

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

2

But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

3

Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

3

He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.a

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Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

4

Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.

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When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

5

But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

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And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

6

So 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.

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I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

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I thought, ‘Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.’

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But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

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But it is the spiritb in a person,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

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Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

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It is not only the oldc who are wise,
not only the aged who understand what is right.

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Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

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“Therefore I say: Listen to me;
I too will tell you what I know.

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Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

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I waited while you spoke,
I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,

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Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

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I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
none of you has answered his arguments.

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Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

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Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;
let God, not a man, refute him.’

14

Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

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But Job has not marshaled his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your arguments.

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They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

15

“They are dismayed and have no more to say;
words have failed them.

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When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

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Must I wait, now that they are silent,
now that they stand there with no reply?

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I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

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I too will have my say;
I too will tell what I know.

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For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

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For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me compels me;

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Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

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inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst.

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I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

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I must speak and find relief;
I must open my lips and reply.

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Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

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I will show no partiality,
nor will I flatter anyone;

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For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

22

for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker would soon take me away.

Parallel

King James Bible

New International Version

Job 32

Job 32