Elihu in Anger Rebukes Job 1 Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned because he justified himself before God. 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned. 6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said, “I am young in years and you are old; Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think. 7 “I thought age should speak, And increased years should teach wisdom. 8 “But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. 9 “The abundant in years may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice. 10 “So I say, ‘Listen to me, I too will tell what I think.’ 11 “Behold, I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, While you pondered what to say. 12 “I even paid close attention to you; Indeed, there was no one who refuted Job, Not one of you who answered his words. 13 “Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; God will rout him, not man.’ 14 “For he has not arranged his words against me, Nor will I reply to him with your arguments. 15 “They are dismayed, they no longer answer; Words have failed them. 16 “Shall I wait, because they do not speak, Because they stop and no longer answer? 17 “I too will answer my share, I also will tell my opinion. 18 “For I am full of words; The spirit within me constrains me. 19 “Behold, my belly is like unvented wine, Like new wineskins it is about to burst. 20 “Let me speak that I may get relief; Let me open my lips and answer. 21 “Let me now be partial to no one, Nor flatter any man. 22 “For I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon take me away. New American Standard Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972,
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