New Revised Standard NRS
Common English Bible CEB
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
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These three men stopped answering Job because he thought he was righteous.
2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God;
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Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the clan of Ram was angry, angry with Job because he considered himself more righteous than God.
3 he was angry also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong.
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He was also angry with his three friends because they hadn't found an answer but nevertheless thought Job wicked.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.
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Elihu had waited while Job spoke, for they were older than he.
5 But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.
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When Elihu saw that there had been no response in the speeches of the three men, he became very angry.
6 Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered: "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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Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said: I'm young and you're old, so I held back, afraid to express my opinion to you.
7 I said, "Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.'
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I thought, Let days speak; let multiple years make wisdom known.
8 But truly it is the spirit in a mortal, the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding.
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But the spirit in a person, the Almighty's breath, gives understanding.
9 It is not the old that are wise, nor the aged that understand what is right.
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The advanced in days aren't wise; the old don't understand what's 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'll state my view, even I."
11 "See, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.
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Look, I waited while you spoke, listened while you reasoned, while you searched for words.
12 I gave you my attention, but there was in fact no one that confuted Job, no one among you that answered his words.
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I was attentive to you, but you offered no rebuke to Job, no answer from you for his words.
13 Yet do not say, "We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a human.'
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Be careful you don't say, "We've found wisdom; God, not a person, will defeat him."
14 He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.
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Now Job hasn't addressed me, and I won't quote you to him.
15 "They are dismayed, they answer no more; they have not a word to say.
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They are troubled, no longer answer; words now escape them.
16 And am I to wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
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I waited, but they didn't speak, for they stood but answered no more.
17 I also will give my answer; I also will declare my opinion.
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I will answer. Indeed, I will state my piece; I too will declare my view,
18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
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for I'm full of words. The spirit in my belly compels me.
19 My heart is indeed like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.
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Look, my belly is like unopened wine; like new wineskins it will burst.
20 I must speak, so that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
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I will speak and get relief; I will open my lips and respond.
21 I will not show partiality to any person or use flattery toward anyone.
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I won't be partial to anyone, won't flatter a person;
22 For I do not know how to flatter— or my Maker would soon put an end to me!
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for I don't know flattery; otherwise my maker would quickly whisk me away.