Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
1 These three men stopped answering Job because he thought he was righteous.
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So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
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 son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God;
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 angry also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong.
4 Elihu had waited while Job spoke, for they were older than he.
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Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were 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 Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.
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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Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered: "I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you.
7 I thought, Let days speak; let multiple years make wisdom known.
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I said, "Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.'
8 But the spirit in a person, the Almighty's breath, gives understanding.
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But truly it is the spirit in a mortal, the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding.
9 The advanced in days aren't wise; the old don't understand what's right.
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It is not the old that are wise, nor the aged that understand what is right.
10 Therefore, I say: "Listen to me; I'll state my view, even I."
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Therefore I say, "Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.'
11 Look, I waited while you spoke, listened while you reasoned, while you searched for words.
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"See, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.
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 gave you my attention, but there was in fact no one that confuted Job, no one among you that answered his words.
13 Be careful you don't say, "We've found wisdom; God, not a person, will defeat him."
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Yet do not say, "We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a human.'
14 Now Job hasn't addressed me, and I won't quote you to him.
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He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.
15 They are troubled, no longer answer; words now escape them.
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"They are dismayed, they answer no more; they have not a word to say.
16 I waited, but they didn't speak, for they stood but answered no more.
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And am I to wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
17 I will answer. Indeed, I will state my piece; I too will declare my view,
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I also will give my answer; I also will declare my opinion.
18 for I'm full of words. The spirit in my belly compels me.
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For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
19 Look, my belly is like unopened wine; like new wineskins it will burst.
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My heart is indeed like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.
20 I will speak and get relief; I will open my lips and respond.
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I must speak, so that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
21 I won't be partial to anyone, won't flatter a person;
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I will not show partiality to any person or use flattery toward anyone.
22 for I don't know flattery; otherwise my maker would quickly whisk me away.
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For I do not know how to flatter— or my Maker would soon put an end to me!
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.