The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
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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Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
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 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him.
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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He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments.
4 Elihu had waited with Job while they spoke because they were all older than he.
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Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older 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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But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.
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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Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think.
7 I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.'
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I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’
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 within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent.
9 The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.
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Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
10 So I've decided to speak up. Listen well! I'm going to tell you exactly what I think.
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So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think.
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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“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.
12 I was all ears. And now what have you proved? Nothing. Nothing you say has even touched Job.
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I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments.
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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And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’
14 Job has yet to contend with me. And rest assured, I won't be using your arguments!
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If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic!
15 "Do you three have nothing else to say? Of course you don't! You're total frauds!
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You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say.
16 Why should I wait any longer, now that you're stopped dead in your tracks?
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Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent?
17 I'm ready to speak my piece. That's right! It's my turn - and it's about time!
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No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind.
18 I've got a lot to say, and I'm bursting to say it.
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For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on.
19 The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth. I'm a volcano ready to blow.
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I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst!
20 I have to speak - I have no choice. I have to say what's on my heart,
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I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers.
21 And I'm going to say it straight - the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
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I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone.
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 if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me.
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.