Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 So these three men ceased to answer Iyov, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
1
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 the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barakh'el, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Iyov. His wrath was kindled, 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 Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Iyov.
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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 Iyov, because they were elder than he.
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Elihu had waited with Job while they spoke because they were all older than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
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But when he saw that the three other men had exhausted their arguments, he exploded with pent-up anger.
6 Elihu the son of Barakh'el the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn't dare show you my opinion.
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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, 'Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.'
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I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.'
8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of Shaddai gives them understanding.
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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 great who are wise, Nor the aged who understand justice.
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The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.
10 Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show 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, And I listened for your reasoning, 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 Yes, I gave you my full attention, But there was no one who convinced Iyov, Or who answered his words, among you.
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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 refute him, not 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 For he has not directed his words against me; Neither will I 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 amazed. They answer no more. They don't have 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 Shall I wait, because they don't speak, Because they stand still, 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 my part, And I also will show 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 breast is as wine which has no vent; Like new wineskins it is 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 will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will 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 Please don't let me respect any man's person, Neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
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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 don't know how to give flattering titles; Or 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 Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
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.