So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:

“I am young in years,
    and you are old;(A)
that is why I was fearful,
    not daring to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Age should speak;
    advanced years should teach wisdom.’(B)
But it is the spirit[a](C) in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty,(D) that gives them understanding.(E)
It is not only the old[b] who are wise,(F)
    not only the aged(G) who understand what is right.(H)

10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me;(I)
    I too will tell you what I know.(J)
11 I waited while you spoke,
    I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
12     I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
    none of you has answered his arguments.(K)
13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;(L)
    let God, not a man, refute(M) him.’
14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,(N)
    and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say;
    words have failed them.(O)
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent,
    now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I too will have my say;
    I too will tell what I know.(P)
18 For I am full of words,
    and the spirit(Q) within me compels me;(R)
19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
    like new wineskins ready to burst.(S)
20 I must speak and find relief;
    I must open my lips and reply.(T)
21 I will show no partiality,(U)
    nor will I flatter anyone;(V)
22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
    my Maker(W) would soon take me away.(X)

33 “But now, Job, listen(Y) to my words;
    pay attention to everything I say.(Z)
I am about to open my mouth;
    my words are on the tip of my tongue.
My words come from an upright heart;(AA)
    my lips sincerely speak what I know.(AB)
The Spirit(AC) of God has made me;(AD)
    the breath of the Almighty(AE) gives me life.(AF)
Answer me(AG) then, if you can;
    stand up(AH) and argue your case before me.(AI)
I am the same as you in God’s sight;(AJ)
    I too am a piece of clay.(AK)
No fear of me should alarm you,
    nor should my hand be heavy on you.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Job 32:8 Or Spirit; also in verse 18
  2. Job 32:9 Or many; or great

And 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

33 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.