The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
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.
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So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 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.
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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.
3 He was also angry with the three friends because they had neither come up with an answer nor proved Job wrong.
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Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Elihu had waited with Job while they spoke because they were all older than he.
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Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5 But when he saw that the three other men had exhausted their arguments, he exploded with pent-up anger.
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When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6 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.
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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.
7 I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.'
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I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 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.
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But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.
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Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10 So I've decided to speak up. Listen well! I'm going to tell you exactly what I think.
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Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11 "I hung on your words while you spoke, listened carefully to your arguments. While you searched for the right words,
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Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12 I was all ears. And now what have you proved? Nothing. Nothing you say has even touched Job.
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Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13 And don't excuse yourselves by saying, 'We've done our best. Now it's up to God to talk sense into him.'
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Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14 Job has yet to contend with me. And rest assured, I won't be using your arguments!
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Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 "Do you three have nothing else to say? Of course you don't! You're total frauds!
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They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16 Why should I wait any longer, now that you're stopped dead in your tracks?
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When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17 I'm ready to speak my piece. That's right! It's my turn - and it's about time!
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I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18 I've got a lot to say, and I'm bursting to say it.
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For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19 The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth. I'm a volcano ready to blow.
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Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20 I have to speak - I have no choice. I have to say what's on my heart,
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I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21 And I'm going to say it straight - the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
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Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22 I was never any good at bootlicking; my Maker would make short work of me if I started in now!
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For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.