V. The Speeches of Elihu (32:1-37:24)
71
Elihu’s First Speech72
32:1 So these three men ceased
from answering1
Job, because he was righteous in his2
own eyes.32:2 Then Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite,
of the family of Ram, became very angry;3
he was angry4
with Job because he justified5
himself rather than God.6
32:3 With his three friends he was also angry,
because they could not find7
an answer, and so declared Job guilty.8
32:4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking9
to Job, because they were older than he. 32:5 But
when Elihu saw10
that there was no reply in the mouth of the three men, he became very angry.
Elihu Claims Wisdom
32:6 So Elihu, the son of Barakel, the Buzite, answered and said:
I am young,11
but you are aged;
that is why I was fearful,12
and afraid to explain13
to you what I know.
32:7 I said to myself, “Age14
should speak,15
and length of years16
should make wisdom known.
32:8 But it is a spirit17
in man,
the breath18
of the Almighty,
that makes them understand.
32:9 It is not the aged19
who are wise,
nor old men who understand what is right.
32:10 Therefore I say, “Listen20
to me.
I, even I, will explain what I know.”
32:11 Look, I waited for your words;
I listened closely to your wise thoughts,21while
you were searching for words.
32:12 Now I was giving you close attention,22
yet23
there was no one proving Job wrong,24
not one of you was answering his words!
32:13 So do not say,25
“We have found wisdom!
God will refute26
him, not man!”
32:14 He has not directed27
his words to me,
and so I will not reply to him with your words.
Job’s Friends Failed to Answer28
32:15 They are dismayed29
and cannot answer any more;
words have left them.30
32:16 And I have waited.31
But because they do not speak,
because they stand still and answer no more,
32:17 I too will answer my part,
I too will explain what I know.
32:18 For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me constrains me.32
32:19 I need, inside I am like wine which has no
outlet,33
like new wineskins34
ready to burst!
32:20 I will speak35
that there may be relief for me,
I will open my lips that I may answer.
32:21 I will not show partiality to anyone,36
nor will I confer a title37
on any man.
32:22 for I do not know how to give honorary titles,38
if I did,39
my Maker would quickly carry me off.