Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends

¹ So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

² This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God, ³ and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.

⁴ Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. ⁵ But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled. ⁶ So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared:

“I am young in years,

while you are old;

that is why I was timid and afraid

to tell you what I know.

⁷ I thought that age should speak,

and many years should teach wisdom.

⁸ But there is a spirit^* in a man,

the breath of the Almighty,

that gives him understanding.

⁹ It is not only the old who are wise,

or the elderly who understand justice.

¹⁰ Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

I too will declare what I know.’

¹¹ Indeed, I waited while you spoke;

I listened to your reasoning;

as you searched for words,

¹² I paid you full attention.

But no one proved Job wrong;

not one of you rebutted his arguments.

¹³ So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom;

let God, not man, refute him.’

¹⁴ But Job has not directed his words against me,

and I will not answer him with your arguments.

¹⁵ Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say;

words have escaped them.

¹⁶ Must I wait, now that they are silent,

now that they stand and no longer reply?

¹⁷ I too will answer;

yes, I will declare what I know.

¹⁸ For I am full of words,

and my spirit within me compels me.

¹⁹ Behold, my belly is like unvented wine;^*

it is about to burst like a new wineskin.

²⁰ I must speak and find relief;

I must open my lips and respond.

²¹ I will be partial to no one,

nor will I flatter any man.

²² For I do not know how to flatter,

or my Maker would remove me^* in an instant.