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

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous (upright and in right standing with God) in his own eyes.

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

Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became indignant. His indignation was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God.

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

Also against three friends was anger kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet they had declared him to be in the wrong.

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

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

5 W hen Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.

But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.

6 S o Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you.

Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said, I am young, and you are aged; for that reason I was timid and restrained and dared not declare my opinion to you.

7 I said, ‘Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

I said, Age should speak, and a multitude of years should teach wisdom.

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

But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives men understanding.

9 G reat men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.

It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

10 “ Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’

So I say, Listen to me; I also will give you my opinion and my knowledge.

11 I ndeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.

You see, I waited for your words, I listened to your wise reasons, while you searched out what to say.

12 I paid close attention to you; And surely not one of you convinced Job, Or answered his words—

Yes, I paid attention to what you said, and behold, not one of you convinced Job or made replies to his words.

13 L est you say, ‘We have found wisdom’; God will vanquish him, not man.

Beware lest you say, We have found wisdom; God thrusts down, not man.

14 N ow he has not directed his words against me; So I will not answer him with your words.

Now has not directed his words against me, neither will I answer him with speeches like yours.

15 “ They are dismayed and answer no more; Words escape them.

are amazed and embarrassed, they answer no more; they have not a thing to say.

16 A nd I have waited, because they did not speak, Because they stood still and answered no more.

And shall I wait, because they say nothing but stand still and answer no more?

17 I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion.

I also will answer my part; I also will declare my opinion and my knowledge.

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

For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.

19 I ndeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like new wineskins.

My breast is as wine that has no vent; like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.

20 I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.

I must speak, that I may get relief and be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.

21 L et me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man.

I will not be influenced by respect for any man’s person and show partiality, neither will I flatter any man.

22 F or I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon take me away.

For I know not how to flatter, my Maker would soon take me away.