The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
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 stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
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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But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather 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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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 to speak to Iyov because they were older than he;
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Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job 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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But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
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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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 said, 'Age should speak; an abundance of 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 from Shaddai, that gives him understanding -
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But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
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 only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
10 Therefore, I say, listen to me; I too will express my opinion.
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“Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.
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 waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,
12 I paid attention to you, but none of you convicted Iyov or refuted 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 So don't say, 'We found the wise course -Let God defeat him, not a human being.'
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Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.’
14 For he did not direct his words against me, and I won't answer him with your arguments.
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But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15 "They are confused, they don't reply, words have failed them.
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“They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.
16 But must I wait just because they don't speak, just because they stand there, stuck for an answer?
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Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?
17 No, I will now give my answer; I too will express my opinion.
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I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.
18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me compels me.
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For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;
19 Yes, my insides feel like new wine under pressure, like new wineskins ready to burst.
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inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I must speak, to find relief; I will open my lips and answer.
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I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.
21 I will show no favor to anyone, and I will flatter no one;
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I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;
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 if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.