Common English Bible CEB
The Message Bible MSG
1 These three men stopped answering Job because he thought he was righteous.
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Job's three friends now fell silent. They were talked out, stymied because Job wouldn't budge an inch - wouldn't admit to an ounce of guilt.
2 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the clan of Ram was angry, angry with Job because he considered himself more righteous than God.
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Then Elihu lost his temper. (Elihu was the son of Barakel the Buzite from the clan of Ram.) He blazed out in anger against Job for pitting his righteousness against God's.
3 He was also angry with his three friends because they hadn't found an answer but nevertheless thought Job wicked.
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He was also angry with the three friends because they had neither come up with an answer nor proved Job wrong.
4 Elihu had waited while Job spoke, for they were older than he.
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Elihu had waited with Job while they spoke because they were all older than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there had been no response in the speeches of the three men, he became very angry.
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But when he saw that the three other men had exhausted their arguments, he exploded with pent-up anger.
6 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said: I'm young and you're old, so I held back, afraid to express my opinion to you.
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This is what Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite, said: "I'm a young man, and you are all old and experienced. That's why I kept quiet and held back from joining the discussion.
7 I thought, Let days speak; let multiple years make wisdom known.
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I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.'
8 But the spirit in a person, the Almighty's breath, gives understanding.
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But I see I was wrong - it's God's Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.
9 The advanced in days aren't wise; the old don't understand what's right.
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The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.
10 Therefore, I say: "Listen to me; I'll state my view, even I."
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So I've decided to speak up. Listen well! I'm going to tell you exactly what I think.
11 Look, I waited while you spoke, listened while you reasoned, while you searched for words.
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"I hung on your words while you spoke, listened carefully to your arguments. While you searched for the right words,
12 I was attentive to you, but you offered no rebuke to Job, no answer from you for his words.
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I was all ears. And now what have you proved? Nothing. Nothing you say has even touched Job.
13 Be careful you don't say, "We've found wisdom; God, not a person, will defeat him."
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And don't excuse yourselves by saying, 'We've done our best. Now it's up to God to talk sense into him.'
14 Now Job hasn't addressed me, and I won't quote you to him.
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Job has yet to contend with me. And rest assured, I won't be using your arguments!
15 They are troubled, no longer answer; words now escape them.
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"Do you three have nothing else to say? Of course you don't! You're total frauds!
16 I waited, but they didn't speak, for they stood but answered no more.
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Why should I wait any longer, now that you're stopped dead in your tracks?
17 I will answer. Indeed, I will state my piece; I too will declare my view,
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I'm ready to speak my piece. That's right! It's my turn - and it's about time!
18 for I'm full of words. The spirit in my belly compels me.
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I've got a lot to say, and I'm bursting to say it.
19 Look, my belly is like unopened wine; like new wineskins it will burst.
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The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth. I'm a volcano ready to blow.
20 I will speak and get relief; I will open my lips and respond.
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I have to speak - I have no choice. I have to say what's on my heart,
21 I won't be partial to anyone, won't flatter a person;
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And I'm going to say it straight - the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
22 for I don't know flattery; otherwise my maker would quickly whisk me away.
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I was never any good at bootlicking; my Maker would make short work of me if I started in now!
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.