King James Version KJV
English Standard Version ESV
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 ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
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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.
3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
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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.
4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
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Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
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And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
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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.
7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
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I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom. ’
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
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But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
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It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.
10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
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Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion. ’
11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
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“Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.
12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
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I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words.
13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
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Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man. ’
14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
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He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.
15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
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“They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say.
16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
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And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
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I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion.
18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
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For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
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Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
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I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
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I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
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For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025