The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Job 32
1 So these three men ceased to answer
Job, because he was righteous in his own
eyes.
2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of
Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram,
was kindled against Job. His wrath was
kindled because he justified himself rather
than God.
3 Also his wrath was kindled against his
three friends, because they had found no
answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 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, his
wrath was kindled.
6 Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite
answered, “I am young, and you are very old.
Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare
show you my opinion.
7 I said, ‘Days should speak,
and multitude of years should teach
wisdom.’
8 But there is a spirit in man,
and the Spirit† of the Almighty gives
them understanding.
9 It is not the great who are wise,
nor the aged who understand justice.
10 Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me;
I also will show my opinion.’
11 “Behold, I waited for your words,
and I listened for your reasoning,
while you searched out what to say.
12 Yes, I gave you my full attention,
but there was no one who convinced
Job, or who answered his words, among
you.
13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found
wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’
14 for he has not directed his words against
me; neither will I answer him with your
speeches.
15 “They are amazed. They answer no
more. They don’t have a word to say.
16 Shall I wait, because they don’t speak,
because they stand still, and answer
no more?
17 I also will answer my part,
and I also will show my opinion.
18 For I am full of words.
The spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has
no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
21 Please don’t let me respect any man’s
person, neither will I give flattering titles to
any man.
22 For I don’t know how to give flattering
titles, or else my Maker would soon take me
away