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

2 B ut 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 nd 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 to Job because they were older than he.

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

6 S o 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 thought the older men should speak, and that the many years should teach wisdom.

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

9 T he old may not be wise. They may not understand what is right and fair.

10 S o I say, ‘Listen to me. I also will tell you what I think.’

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

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

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

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

16 S hould I wait because they do not speak, because they stand there and do not answer?

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

18 F or I am full of words. The spirit within me makes me speak.

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

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

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

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