1 S o these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then these three men stopped answering Job, because he was right and good in his own eyes.

2 T hen was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

But Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry at Job because he said he was right with God.

3 A lso against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

And he was angry at his three friends because they had found no answer, yet they had said that Job was wrong.

4 N ow Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.

5 A nd when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was very angry.

6 A nd Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.

So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite said, “I am young, and you are old. So I did not feel that I should speak. I was afraid to tell you what I think.

7 I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.

I thought the older men should speak, and that the many years should teach wisdom.

8 B ut there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

But it is the spirit in a man and the breath of the All-powerful that gives him understanding.

9 I t is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.

The old may not be wise. They may not understand what is right and fair.

10 T herefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.

So I say, ‘Listen to me. I also will tell you what I think.’

11 B ehold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say.

“See, I waited for your words. I listened to what you said and waited to hear more from you.

12 Y ea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you.

I was careful to listen to you. There was no one who could prove that Job was wrong. None of you could answer his words.

13 B eware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man:

Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom. God will show he is wrong, not man.’

14 F or he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.

Now Job has not spoken his words against me. And I will not answer him with your words.

15 T hey are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say.

“They are troubled and have no more to say. Words do not come.

16 A nd shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more?

Should I wait because they do not speak, because they stand there and do not answer?

17 I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion.

I also will give my answer. I will tell what I think.

18 F or I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.

For I am full of words. The spirit within me makes me speak.

19 B ehold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst.

See, my stomach is like wine that cannot get out. It is ready to break like new wine bottles made of skin.

20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.

Let me speak, that I may find comfort. Let me open my lips and answer.

21 L et me not, I pray you, respect any man's person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.

I will not show favor to anyone, or praise any man in a false way.

22 F or I know not to give flattering titles; Else would my Maker soon take me away.

For I do not know how to say sweet-sounding words that are not true, for then my Maker would soon take me away.