Job 32 | NIV | STEP | So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

‏ Job 32

Elihu

1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 3 He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. ^{▼▼Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God} 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:

‘I am young in years,
and you are old;
that is why I was fearful,
not daring to tell you what I know.
7 I thought, “Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.”
8 But it is the spirit ^{▼▼Or Spirit; also in verse 18} in a person,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
9 It is not only the old ^{▼▼Or many; or great} who are wise,
not only the aged who understand what is right.
10 ‘Therefore I say: listen to me;
I too will tell you what I know.
11 I waited while you spoke,
I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
12 I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
none of you has answered his arguments.
13 Do not say, “We have found wisdom;
let God, not a man, refute him.”
14 But Job has not marshalled his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15 ‘They are dismayed and have no more to say;
words have failed them.
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent,
now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I too will have my say;
I too will tell what I know.
18 For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me compels me;
19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I must speak and find relief;
I must open my lips and reply.
21 I will show no partiality,
nor will I flatter anyone;
22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker would soon take me away.