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

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous 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.

Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than 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.

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

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

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

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

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

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.

Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

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

I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of 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.

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

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

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

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

Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

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

“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

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.

Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

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

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;’

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

for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

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

“They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.

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

Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

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

I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

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

For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

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

Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

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

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

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

Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

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.

For I don’t know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.