Job 32
V. The Speeches of Elihu (32:1-37:24)
Elihu’s First Speech1
32:1 So these three men refused to answer2 Job further, because he was righteous in his3 own eyes. 32:2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry.4 He was angry5 with Job for justifying6 himself rather than God.7 32:3 With Job’s8 three friends he was also angry, because they could not find9 an answer, and so declared Job guilty.10 32:4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking11 to Job, because the others12 were older than he was. 32:5 But when Elihu saw13 that the three men had no further reply,14 he became very angry.
Elihu Claims Wisdom
32:6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up:15
“I am young,16 but you are elderly;
that is why I was fearful,17
and afraid to explain18 to you what I know.
32:7 I said to myself, ‘Age19 should speak,20
and length of years21 should make wisdom known.’
32:8 But it is a spirit in people,
the breath22 of the Almighty,
that makes them understand.
32:9 It is not the aged23 who are wise,
nor old men who understand what is right.
32:10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen24 to me.
I, even I, will explain what I know.’
32:11 Look, I waited for you to speak;25
I listened closely to your wise thoughts,26while you were searching for words.
32:12 Now I was paying you close attention,27
yet28 there was no one proving Job wrong,29
not one of you was answering his statements!
32:13 So do not say,30 ‘We have found wisdom!
God will refute31 him, not man!’
32:14 Job32 has not directed33 his words to me,
and so I will not reply to him with your arguments.34
Job’s Friends Failed to Answer35
32:15 “They are dismayed36 and cannot answer any more;
they have nothing left to say.37
32:16 And I have waited.38 But because they do not speak,
because they stand there and answer no more,
32:17 I too will answer my part,
I too will explain what I know.
and the spirit within me39 constrains me.40
32:19 Inside I am like wine which has no outlet,41
like new wineskins42 ready to burst!
32:20 I will speak,43 so that I may find relief;
I will open my lips, so that I may answer.
32:21 I will not show partiality to anyone,44
nor will I confer a title45 on any man.
32:22 for I do not know how to give honorary titles,46