| 1 | So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. | |
| 2 | But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. | |
| 3 | He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. | |
| 4 | Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. | |
| 5 | But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused. | |
| 6 | So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. | |
| 7 | I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' | |
| 8 | But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. | |
| 9 | It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. | |
| 10 | "Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. | |
| 11 | I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, | |
| 12 | I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments. | |
| 13 | Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God refute him, not man.' | |
| 14 | But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments. | |
| 15 | "They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them. | |
| 16 | Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply? | |
| 17 | I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know. | |
| 18 | For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; | |
| 19 | inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. | |
| 20 | I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply. | |
| 21 | I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man; | |
| 22 | for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away. | |