English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
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So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
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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But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.
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 found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job 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 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 men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
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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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, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom. ’
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I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’
8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
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But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
9 It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.
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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; let me also declare my opinion. ’
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“Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.
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 waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for 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 gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.
13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man. ’
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Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.’
14 He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.
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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 dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say.
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“They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.
16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
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Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I also will answer with my share; I also will declare 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 constrains me.
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For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;
19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; 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, that I may find relief; I must 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 not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.
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I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;
22 For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.
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for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.