1Then these three men ceased from answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2So Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite, from the clan of Ram, ⌞became angry⌟. ⌞He became angry⌟ at Job because he justified himself rather than God, 3and ⌞he became angry⌟ at his three friends because they had not found an answer, and they had declared Job guilty. 4Thus Elihu had waited for Job ⌞to speak⌟ because ⌞they were older than he⌟. 5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, ⌞he became angry⌟. 6Then Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite ⌞spoke up⌟ and said, “⌞I am young⌟, but you are old; therefore I feared and became afraid of explaining my knowledge to you. 7I thought, ‘Let days speak, and let many years teach wisdom.’ 8“Truly, it is a spirit in a human being, and the breath of Shaddai teaches them. 9It is not ⌞the aged⌟ who are wise, or it is not the elders who understand justice. 10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my knowledge myself.’ 11“Look, I waited for your words; I listened for your insight, until you searched out ⌞what to say⌟. 12And I directed my attention to you; and, look, there is no one for Job who refuted, answering his words among you. 13So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God refute him, not a man.’ 14But he did not direct his words to me, and I will not answer him with your words. 15“They are dismayed; they no longer answer; ⌞they have nothing to say⌟. 16And I have waited because they do not speak, because they stand there and no longer answer. 17I myself will answer my share also; I myself will declare my knowledge also, 18for I am full of words; ⌞the spirit within me⌟ urges me. 19“Look, my internal organs are like unopened wine, like new wineskins it is ready to burst open. 20Let me speak ⌞that I may find relief⌟; let me open my lips, and let me answer. 21⌞Please let me not show partiality to anyone⌟, and let me not show flattery to human beings, 22for I do not know how ⌞to flatter⌟, else my Maker would ⌞soon⌟ put an end to me.
Lexham English Bible · Free with attribution