Hiob 32 | New International Reader’s Version

The speech of Elihu

1 So the three men stopped answering Job, because he thought he was right. 2 But Elihu the Buzite was very angry with Job. That’s because Job said he himself was right instead of God. Elihu was the son of Barakel. He was from the family of Ram. 3 Elihu was also very angry with Job’s three friends. They hadn’t found any way to prove that Job was wrong. But they still said he was guilty. 4 Elihu had waited before he spoke to Job. That’s because the others were older than he was. 5 But he saw that the three men didn’t have anything more to say. So he was very angry. 6 Elihu the Buzite, the son of Barakel, said, ‘I’m young, and you are old. So I was afraid to tell you what I know. 7 I thought, “Those who are older should speak first. Those who have lived for many years should teach people how to be wise.” 8 But the spirit in people gives them understanding. The breath of the Mighty One gives them wisdom. 9 Older people aren’t the only ones who are wise. They aren’t the only ones who understand what is right. 10 ‘So I’m saying you should listen to me. I’ll tell you what I know. 11 I waited while you men spoke. I listened to your reasoning. While you were searching for words, 12 I paid careful attention to you. But not one of you has proved that Job is wrong. None of you has answered his arguments. 13 Don’t claim, “We have enough wisdom to answer Job.” Let God, not a mere man, prove that he’s wrong. 14 Job hasn’t directed his words against me. I won’t answer him with your arguments. 15 ‘Job, these men are afraid. They don’t have anything else to say. They’ve run out of words. 16 Do I have to keep on waiting, now that they are silent? They are just standing there with nothing to say. 17 I too have something to say. I too will tell what I know. 18 I’m full of words. My spirit inside me forces me to speak. 19 Inside I’m like wine that is bottled up. I’m like new wineskins ready to burst. 20 I must speak so I can feel better. I must open my mouth and reply. 21 I’ll treat everyone the same. I won’t praise anyone without meaning it. 22 If I weren’t honest when I praised people, my Maker would soon take me from this life.

English Standard Version

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 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 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 to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 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 in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. 7 I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ 8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. 9 It is not the old* who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. 10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’ 11 “Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say. 12 I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words. 13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.’ 14 He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15 “They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say. 16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? 17 I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion. 18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. 19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. 20 I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. 21 I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. 22 For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.

Hiob 32 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

The speech of Elihu

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends