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New American Standard Bible

Elihu

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

Elihu in Anger Rebukes Job

Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

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

2

But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned because he justified himself before God.

3

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

3

And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

4

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

4

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he.

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

5

And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned.

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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.

6

So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said,
“I am young in years and you are old;
Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.

7

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

7

“I thought age should speak,
And increased years should teach wisdom.

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

8

“But it is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9

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

9

“The abundant in years may not be wise,
Nor may elders understand justice.

10

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

10

“So I say, ‘Listen to me,
I too will tell what I think.’

11

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

11

“Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings,
While you pondered what to say.

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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.

12

“I even paid close attention to you;
Indeed, there was no one who refuted Job,
Not one of you who answered his words.

13

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

13

“Do not say,
‘We have found wisdom;
God will rout him, not man.’

14

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

14

“For he has not arranged his words against me,
Nor will I reply to him with your arguments.

15

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

15

“They are dismayed, they no longer answer;
Words have failed them.

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

16

“Shall I wait, because they do not speak,
Because they stop and no longer answer?

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

17

“I too will answer my share,
I also will tell my opinion.

18

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

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“For I am full of words;
The spirit within me constrains me.

19

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

19

“Behold, my belly is like unvented wine,
Like new wineskins it is about to burst.

20

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

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“Let me speak that I may get relief;
Let me open my lips and answer.

21

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

21

“Let me now be partial to no one,
Nor flatter any man.

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

22

“For I do not know how to flatter,
Else my Maker would soon take me away.

Parallel

New International Version

New American Standard Bible

Job 32

Job 32