GodsWord - Job - 32

32:1  These three men stopped answering Job because Job thought he was righteous.

32:2  Then Elihu, son of Barachel, a descendant of Buz from the family of Ram, became very angry with Job because Job thought he was more righteous than God.

32:3  Elihu was also very angry with Job's three friends because they had found no answer. They made it look as if God were wrong.

32:4  Elihu waited as they spoke to Job because they were older than he was.

32:5  When Elihu saw that the three men had no further responses, he became very angry.

32:6  So Elihu, son of Barachel, the descendant of Buz, replied to Job, "I am young, and you are old. That's why I refrained from speaking and was afraid to tell you what I know.

32:7  I thought, 'Age should speak, and experience should teach wisdom.'

32:8  However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

32:9  People do not become wise merely because they live long. They don't understand what justice is merely because they're old.

32:10  "That is why I say, 'Listen to me! Let me tell you what I know.'

32:11  I waited for you to speak. I listened for you to share your understanding until you could find the right words.

32:12  I've paid close attention to you, but none of you refuted Job. None of you has an answer to what he says.

32:13  So don't say, 'We've found wisdom. Let God, not humans, defeat him.'

32:14  Job did not choose his words to refute me, so I won't answer him with your speeches.

32:15  "Job's friends have been overwhelmed and don't have any more answers. They don't have another word to say.

32:16  Should I wait because they don't speak, because they stand there and don't have any more answers?

32:17  "I'll give my answer. I'll tell you what I know.

32:18  I'm full of words. The Spirit within me forces me to speak.

32:19  My belly is like a bottle of wine that has not been opened, like new wineskins that are ready to burst.

32:20  I must speak to get relief. I must open my mouth and answer.

32:21  I won't be partial toward anyone or flatter anyone.

32:22  I don't know how to flatter. If I did, my maker would soon carry me away.