New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 These three men stopped trying to answer Job, because he was so sure he was right.
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So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, from the family of Ram, became very angry with Job, because Job claimed he was right instead of 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 Elihu was also angry with Job's three friends who had no answer to show that Job was wrong, yet continued to blame him.
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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 Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the three friends were older than he was.
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Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.
5 But when Elihu saw that the three men had nothing more to say, he became very angry.
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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 this: "I am young, and you are old. That is why I was afraid to tell you what I know.
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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 thought, 'Older people should speak, and those who have lived many years should teach wisdom.'
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I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’
8 But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives understanding.
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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 just older people who are wise; they are not the only ones 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 So I say, listen to me. I too will tell you what I know.
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“Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.
11 I waited while you three spoke, and listened to your explanations. While you looked for words to use,
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I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,
12 I paid close attention to you. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.
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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 Don't say, 'We have found wisdom; only God will show Job to be wrong, not people.'
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Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.’
14 Job has not spoken his words against me, so I will not use your arguments to answer Job.
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But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15 "These three friends are defeated and have no more to say; words have failed them.
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“They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.
16 Now they are standing there with no answers for Job. Now that they are quiet, must I wait to speak?
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Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?
17 No, I too will speak and tell what I know.
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I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.
18 I am full of words, and the spirit in me causes me to speak.
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For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;
19 I am like wine that has been bottled up; I am ready to burst like a new leather wine bag.
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inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I must speak so I will feel relief; I must open my mouth and answer.
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I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.
21 I will be fair to everyone and not flatter anyone.
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I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;
22 I don't know how to flatter, and if I did, my Maker would quickly take me away.
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for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.