Job 32 (Today's New International Version)

Elihu

1 So these three men stopped answering Job,¹ because he was righteous in his own eyes.² 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,³ of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself⁴ rather than God.⁵ 3 He was also angry with the three friends,⁶ because they had found no way to refute Job,⁷ and yet had condemned him.^a8 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.⁹ 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused. 6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old;¹⁰ that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. 7 I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.'¹¹ 8 But it is the spirit^b12 in mortals, the breath of the Almighty,¹³ that gives them understanding.¹⁴ 9 It is not only the old^c who are wise,¹⁵ not only the aged¹⁶ who understand what is right.¹⁷ 10 "Therefore I say: Listen to me;¹⁸ I too will tell you what I know.¹⁹ 11 I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, 12 I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.²⁰ 13 Do not say, 'We have found wisdom;²¹ let God refute²² him, not a mere mortal.' 14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,²³ and I will not answer him with your arguments. 15 "They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.²⁴ 16 Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply? 17 I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.²⁵ 18 For I am full of words, and the spirit²⁶ within me compels me;²⁷ 19 inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.²⁸ 20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.²⁹ 21 I will show no partiality,³⁰ nor will I flatter anyone;³¹ 22 for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker³² would soon take me away.³³