The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 So these three men stopped trying to answer Iyov, because he remained convinced of his own righteousness.
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So these three men gave no more answers to Job, because he seemed to himself to be right.
2 But then the anger of Elihu the son of Barakh'el the Buzi, from the family of Ram, blazed up against Iyov for thinking he was right and God wrong.
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And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was angry, burning with wrath against Job, because he seemed to himself more right than God;
3 His anger also blazed up against his three friends, because they had found no answer to Iyov but condemned him anyway.
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And he was angry with his three friends, because they had been unable to give him an answer, and had not made Job's sin clear.
4 Elihu had waited to speak to Iyov because they were older than he;
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Now Elihu had kept quiet while Job was talking, because they were older than he;
5 however, when Elihu saw that these three had no answer, his anger flared up.
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And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was very angry.
6 Elihu the son of Barakh'el the Buzi said: "I am young, and you are old, so I held back from telling you my opinion.
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And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, made answer and said, I am young, and you are very old, so I was in fear, and kept myself from putting my knowledge before you.
7 I said, 'Age should speak; an abundance of years should teach wisdom.'
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I said to myself, It is right for the old to say what is in their minds, and for those who are far on in years to give out wisdom.
8 But it is the spirit in a person, the breath from Shaddai, that gives him understanding -
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But truly it is the spirit in man, even the breath of the Ruler of all, which gives them knowledge.
9 it isn't [only] the great who are wise or the aged who know how to judge.
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It is not the old who are wise, and those who are full of years have not the knowledge of what is right.
10 Therefore, I say, listen to me; I too will express my opinion.
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So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge.
11 "Here, I waited for your words, I listened to your reasoning, as you were searching for what to say.
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I was waiting for your words, I was giving ear to your wise sayings; while you were searching out what to say,
12 I paid attention to you, but none of you convicted Iyov or refuted his arguments.
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I was taking note; and truly not one of you was able to make clear Job's error, or to give an answer to his words.
13 So don't say, 'We found the wise course -Let God defeat him, not a human being.'
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Take care that you do not say, Wisdom is here; God may overcome him, but not man.
14 For he did not direct his words against me, and I won't answer him with your arguments.
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I will not put forward words like these, or make use of your sayings in answer to him.
15 "They are confused, they don't reply, words have failed them.
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Fear has overcome them, they have no more answers to give; they have come to an end of words.
16 But must I wait just because they don't speak, just because they stand there, stuck for an answer?
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And am I to go on waiting while they have nothing to say? while they keep quiet and give no more answers?
17 No, I will now give my answer; I too will express my opinion.
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I will give my answer; I will put forward my knowledge:
18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me compels me.
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For I am full of words, I am unable to keep in my breath any longer:
19 Yes, my insides feel like new wine under pressure, like new wineskins ready to burst.
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My stomach is like wine which is unable to get out; like skins full of new wine, it is almost burst.
20 I must speak, to find relief; I will open my lips and answer.
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Let me say what is in my mind, so that I may get comfort; let me give answer with open mouth.
21 I will show no favor to anyone, and I will flatter no one;
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Let me not give respect to any man, or give names of honour to any living.
22 I don't know how to flatter; if I did, my maker would soon put an end to me.
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For I am not able to give names of honour to any man; and if I did, my Maker would quickly take me away.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.