English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
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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 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather 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 burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.
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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 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because 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 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
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But when he saw that the three other men had exhausted their arguments, he exploded with pent-up anger.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: "I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare 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 said, 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.'
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I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.'
8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
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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 It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is 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; let me also declare my opinion.'
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So I've decided to speak up. Listen well! I'm going to tell you exactly what I think.
11 "Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.
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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 gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered 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 Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.'
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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 He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.
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Job has yet to contend with me. And rest assured, I won't be using your arguments!
15 "They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say.
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"Do you three have nothing else to say? Of course you don't! You're total frauds!
16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
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Why should I wait any longer, now that you're stopped dead in your tracks?
17 I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion.
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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 am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
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I've got a lot to say, and I'm bursting to say it.
19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst.
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The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth. I'm a volcano ready to blow.
20 I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
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I have to speak - I have no choice. I have to say what's on my heart,
21 I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any 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 do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take 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!
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.