Job 32, side by side

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

¹So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

²This 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,

²Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

³and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.

³Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.

⁴Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

⁵But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.

⁵When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

⁶So 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.

⁶And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

⁷I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.

⁷I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

⁸But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

⁸But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

⁹It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.

⁹Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

¹⁰Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’

¹⁰Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

¹¹Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,

¹¹Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

¹²I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.

¹²Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

¹³So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’

¹³Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

¹⁴But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

¹⁴Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.

¹⁵They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

¹⁶Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?

¹⁶When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

¹⁷I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.

¹⁷I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

¹⁸For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.

¹⁸For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

¹⁹Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.

¹⁹Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

²⁰I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

²⁰I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

²¹I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.

²¹Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

²²For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.

²²For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.