English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
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So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.
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But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.
3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.
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He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.
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Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.
5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
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But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: "I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you.
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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.
7 I said, 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.'
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I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’
8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
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But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
9 It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.
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It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
10 Therefore I say, 'Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.'
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“Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.
11 "Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you 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,
12 I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who 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.
13 Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.'
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Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.’
14 He has not directed his words against me, and I will not 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.
15 "They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say.
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“They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.
16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
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Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion.
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I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.
18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
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For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;
19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst.
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inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
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I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.
21 I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.
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I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;
22 For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.
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for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.