International Standard Version
Job 32
1 These three men stopped responding to Job, because he was claiming to be righteous, in his own opinion. a
2 But then Barachel’s son Elihu from Buz, one of Ram’s descendants, got really angry. He was furious with Job because he had been declaring himself righteous instead of vindicating God.
3 Furthermore, he was furious with his three friends because they had not answered Job, but instead had condemned him.
4 Elihu waited to have a word with Job, since the others were older than he,
5 but when he saw that there had been no response b from those three, he got even more angry.
6 Barachel’s son Elihu from Buz responded and said: I’m younger than you are. Because you’re older, c I was terrified to tell you what I know.
7 I thought, experience d should speak; abundance of years teaches wisdom.
8 However, a spirit exists in mankind, and the Almighty’s breath gives him insight.
9 “The aged aren’t always wise, nor do the elderly always understand justice.
10 Therefore I’m saying, ‘Listen to me!’ Then I’ll declare what I know.
11 “Look! I have waited to hear your speech, so I listened to your insights while you searched for the right words to say. e
12 Indeed, I paid close attention to you all, but none of you were able to refute f Job or answer his arguments convincingly.
13 “So that you cannot claim, ‘We have found wisdom!’ let God do the rebuking, not man;
14 let him not direct a rebuke toward me. I won’t be responding to him with your arguments.
15 “Job’s friends g won’t reason with him anymore; discouraged, words escape them.
16 Shall I continue to wait, since they’re no longer talking? After all, they’re only standing there; they’re no longer responding.
17 “I will contribute my arguments h as an answer; I’ll declare what I know,
18 because I’m filled with things to say, and my spirit within me compels me to speak. i
19 My insides feel like unvented wine, like it’s about to burst like a new wineskin.
20 “Let me speak! I need relief! Let me open my lips and respond.
21 I won’t discriminate against anyone, and I won’t flatter any person,
22 since I don’t know the first thing about how to flatter; and the one who made me would sweep me away as if I were nothing.”