1
Job's three friends stopped responding to him because he kept on protesting his innocence.
2
Then Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, grew angry. He was angry with Job for claiming he was right rather than God.
3
Elihu was also angry at Job's three friends because they made it seem that God was wrong, because they had not been able to answer Job.*
4
Elihu had waited for the other three to speak with Job since they were older than he was.
5
But when he saw that they could not answer Job, he grew very angry.
6
Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, said, “I am young, and you are old, which is why I was reluctant to tell you what I know.
7
I told myself, ‘Those who are older should speak—those who are elderly should teach wisdom.’
8
However, there is a spirit* in human beings, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
9
It is not the old who are wise, or the elderly who know what is right.
10
That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you what I know.
11
Well, I waited to hear what you had to say, listening for your insights as you looked for the right words to speak.
12
I paid close attention to all of you, and none of you have proved Job wrong or answered his arguments.
13
Don't say to yourselves, ‘We are so wise,’* for God will prove him wrong, not a human being.
14
Job didn't line up his arguments against me, and I won't answer him the way you did.
15
You sit there speechless* with nothing left to say.
16
Should I continue to wait since you're no longer talking, just standing there saying nothing?
17
No—now I'll give my answer too. I'll tell you what I know.
18
I have so much to say I can't hold the words back!*
19
Inside I'm like fermenting wine all bottled up; like new wineskins ready to explode!
20
I have to speak before I burst;* I will open my lips to answer him.
21
I will not take sides, and I'm not going to flatter anyone.
22
I don't know how to flatter, and if I did my Creator would soon destroy me.”